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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.

One of the things that is heavily under attack is the Catholic press and media.

It's time to invoke the intercession of St. Francis de Sales, since he is the patron of the Catholic press, along with St. Maximilian Kolbe.

By order of the Generalitat [regional government of Catalonia], broadcasting of the St. Joseph Network will be suspended as of June 30.

Such stupid arrogance! The socialist gov't doesn't give its own citizens credit for any intelligence. History teaches otherwise.

The Russian communists thought they could kill God, by destroying churches and murdering priests. It only forces people underground where the light of faith continues to kindle in and strengthen the hearts of mankind.

Two questions: is it still possible to watch the St. Joseph Network via satellite dish? and what is the term of office for the Spanish gov't leader?

One of the things that is heavily under attack is the Catholic press and media.

My understanding (from my Spanish SIL) is that Zapatero's father is or was an influential Mason, which partly explains the extreme anti-Catholic actions. The Masonic movement in Spain is very unlike that in the USA. They were the group most responsible for the civil war era church desecrations, priest and nun killings, and general church hostilities. They have always (in the past century, at least) allied with the left.

The Masonic movement was deeply underground throughout the Franco era, for obvious reasons, but it came back to life quickly once Spain went democratic.