Author:
Publication: Zenit.org
Date: February 20, 2001
Vatican Talks of Topics That Concern
Catholic Electorate
The Vatican has begun an unprecedented
series of meetings with leaders of all political parties to express the
concerns of the Catholic electorate.
The move comes at the start of the
Italian general elections campaign for members of Parliament and the Cabinet
that will govern the country.
Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican
secretary of state, confirmed the news Monday when he met the press at
a reception in the Italian Embassy to the Vatican, in celebration of the
Lateran Pacts and the Italian Church-state agreement.
The unprecedented political meetings
come in the wake of the disintegration of the Christian Democratic Party.
Until the early 1990s, Church leaders felt represented by this political
force, which ideologically defended Christian values. But the party's leadership
foundered in a sea of corruption scandals.
In recent years the Church's relation
with Italian politics has changed completely. Now, for the first time,
the Vatican has decided to join the Italian bishops in a common strategy,
to express clearly the values that Christians expect from politicians,
regardless of their ideological hue.
The Church is neutral, Cardinal
Sodano clarified, but wishes to help the Catholic electorate to exercise
its right to vote with knowledge of the parties' positions on issues that
are particularly delicate.
To the question, "What are the issues?"
the Italian Cardinal responded: life and abortion, aid to private schools
(Catholic schools in Italy receive practically no state support, and, as
a result, many are being forced to close), family (Italy is undergoing
a demographic crisis), solidarity.
"These are topics that are heartfelt
by Italian Catholics, and even more so by the Pope who, as Bishop of Rome,
loves the life of the Church in Italy," Cardinal Sodano told the press.
Therefore, he added, no one should be surprised by the organization of
this series of "consultations" with the parties.
Cardinal Sodano had just finished
a meeting with Italy's most important political leaders. He was accompanied
by Argentine Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, substitute for general affairs
of the State Secretariat; French Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary
of the Apostolic See for relations with states; and Cardinal Camillo Ruini,
president of the Italian bishops' conference.
The Vatican secretary of state met
with Francesco Rutelli, leader of the Olive political group last Friday.
This group includes parties of the center-left who constitute the present
majority in government.
Cardinal Sodano disclosed that he
will also meet with Silvio Berlusconi, leader of the House of Liberties,
within the next few days. This political force comprises the center-right
parties.
The third electoral group Cardinal
Sodano will meet in the near future is called European Democracy, which
gathers orphans of Christian Democracy in the center. It is directed by
Sergio D'Antoni, to date the leader of the Catholic labor union, and includes
Christian Democrat Giulio Andreotti, 81, who has been in government Cabinets
for more than 40 years.