[AnAmericanMother]

Prayers for Spain.

How soon can they get rid of the Shoemaker, and what is the general feeling about him?

[livius]

Spain has a parliamentary system, so theoretically, if ZP's governing majority (which is a coalition of Socialists and various nationalist parties) collapses, elections could be any day. However, the term is technically up in March, 2008.

He has been heavily courting the nationalist parties by virtually telling Catalunya and País Vasco that they are free to consider themselves no longer part of Spain (although, of course, their reps are still in the legislature and still are expected to vote for ZP). Consequently, I don't think his coalition will fall apart, and he'll probably make it to 2008.

It's not clear who the PP is going to run against him yet.

[livius]

This is my translation of a letter to the most recent edition of the Madrid diocesan newspaper, Alfa y Omega, which I receive by e-mail:

"Here in Catalonia, we used to be able to see the religious channel “Mother Angelica’s Network,” locally known as the St. Joseph Network. For about a week, the following has been appearing on the screen: “By order of the Generalitat [regional government of Catalonia], broadcasting of the St. Joseph Network will be suspended as of June 30. Phone number of St. Joseph Network is [phone number].” The channel was watched by older people, was Catholic, had beautiful programs, news about the Vatican and the Pope, etc., and was very helpful. This is a complete dictatorship and a systematic persecution of anything religious. And yet they call it progress and liberty! I am writing to you on behalf of many people who share this opinion and have asked me to write to you.”
Nines Rico
Cataluña

Just to give you all an idea of what's going on there. One of the things that is heavily under attack is the Catholic press and media.