Spaniards angered by bishops; domestic violence is "the bitter fruit" of

[dArKeR]

With women's deaths and beatings up dramatically in Spain, Roman Catholic bishops have triggered a storm of criticism by saying such domestic violence is "the bitter fruit" of the sexual revolution.

The comments, released this week in a Spanish Bishops Conference treatise on family matters, drew a barrage of attacks from political parties, women's and social groups and the media.

Almost every day, Spanish newspapers carry horrific stories about women dying or being beaten by their husbands or partners. At least 70 died violently last year, up from 52 in 2002, according to government figures. Rights groups say the 2003 figure is closer to 100.

http://www.etaiwannews.com/World/2004/02/06/1076034307.htm

[tkulesa]

1. WTF

Like women were never abused before the 1960s?

What is this guy smoking?

[displacedtexan]

2. So women weren't beaten before the sexual revolution?

Or did the church and the govt just turn a blind eye?
It's time to evolve: women are buying guns.

[monobrau]

14. They kept their mouths shut

Just like molested altar boys, women kept their mouths shut when they were abused, which worked out just fine for the clergy and the other abusers. I have some bitter fruit for you, padre. And you better have a seat, because you're going to eat every bit.

[thebaghwan]

3. I wonder; does Spain allow divorce? Anybody know?

n/t

[jvaska]

10. yes

for about 30 years now, divorce is legal.

[aquart]

4. Male celibates know this......how?

And as long as we're on the subject of the Church's attitude toward violence to women, let me know when Mary gave consent.

[Dennis Quaranta]

5. Mary's Response

Mary answered the Angel: Let it be done according to your word.

[Gman]

6. Less than an hour ago we got home from our Catholic church

where there was a meeting of parents for our CCD (basically Sunday School) children. The topic of discussion was human sexuality, marriage and children.

What the bishops say in the article is basically what they were saying to us less than an hour ago. I didn't agree 36 years ago, when Humanae Vitae came out and I still don't agree.

There is still a huge rift in the Catholic Church world wide on this issue.

[thebaghwan]

8. The CCD; that is the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine is the inheritor

of The Inquisition.

[mumon]

11. I'd challenge 'em on that...

A group (bishops) that has protected pedophiles has no standing to pontificate about sexual morality.

[Dennis Quaranta]

12. That's Unfair

The Church, which has been around for thousands of years, never actually encouraged pedophilia. The issue is whether they did enough to put a stop to it. Some say Church officials worried too much about the reputation of the clergy, and not enough about the harm done to the children. Reasonable people have taken different positions on these issues.

[bleedingheart]

7. sickening...just sickening

nothing like bitter old men rejoicing in the suffering of women.

[Dulcinea]

9. Oh, sure. Blame women, AGAIN.

Crap like this is what got me to leave the Catholic church in my teens.

[Dennis Quaranta]

13. Spanish Bishops

Spanish bishops don't speak for the whole Church. They may not even speak for other Spanish bishops. Many Catholics disagree with "official" Church teaching, and what these Spaniards are saying is certainly not official.

[LiberalFighter]

15. If there is no official published response by the Church?

[Dennis Quaranta]

16. Official Teachings

There's a lot more room for individual conscience within the Catholic Church than people realize. The Church is not a monolith - individual bishops often represent only themselves. Some Church conservatives would like to give more authority to John Paul. You'll hear them talk about the magisterium - the teaching authority of the bishops - but in fact the Church is not bound by anything a single bishop, or group of bishops, has to say.

Depending on the issue, much of what is considered mandatory belief isn't mandatory at all. For example, many American bishops oppose the death penalty; but there is no official teaching on the death penalty. Last year an American bishop who opposed the Iraq war denounced Catholic participation in it as sinful. However, that's just his opinion.