Divine Word Missionaries

SVD Mission 2000

Province
Reports
for
the XV
General
Chapter

Contents

Presentation
Four Zones
AFRAM
ASPAC
EUROPA
ESP
GBR
GE-
GEN
GES
HUN
IRE
ITA
NEB
OES
POL
POR
ROM
SLO
SWI
URL
PANAM
Statistics
Index

en Español

SVD Publications
Generalate
Rome
1999

SPAIN PROVINCE

1. General Situation of the Country

Spain, on the western tip of Europe, has an area of 504,750 square km and a population of 39,669,394. At present, more than 70% of her people live in cities and larger towns. The country is part of the European Union with which it has political and economic ties. At the same time it is maintaining its close cultural and economic ties with South America.

For a time Spain was a point of departure for emigration to America, as it was from the 1950's to the 1970's for the rest of Europe (from 1961 -1965 almost a million Spaniards emigrated to another country). Due to its booming economy during the 1980's Spain became a country which welcomed immigrants (from 1981-1990 some 300,000 entered Spain).

The attitudes of contemporary Spaniards, a great number of whom are now enjoying the benefits of progress, range from the rejection of utopias and long range commitments to enjoying life in short stages and following a morality dictated by the situation. That which provides immediate solutions and satisfaction is considered fashionable.

2. Situation of the Church

A recent sociological study of the Spanish population found that 81.2% of the population identify themselves as Catholic (1.4% belong to other religions, 7.9% claim to be indifferent while 3% are atheists). Nevertheless, Spaniards believe in a God "a la carte," a God vaguely defined according to one's personal perspective. Of the self declared Catholics, 40.8% almost never take part in religious ceremonies while only 22.9% regularly attend Mass on Sundays and feast days.

This growing tendency poses a problem for the Church, both for those in the hierarchy and those at the base. The president of the Spanish Bishops' Conference has lately decried the growing secularization of the country and has called for a more committed evangelization. "For many, religion seems to have become a question of personal taste. There are many who emphasize the individual's personal relation with God, but pay no attention to dogmatic considerations and to the Church as a community. We are dealing here with a type of subjective individualism which has a great destructive force."

As we listen to the voice of more committed church groups, we can quote some statements found in a book recently published by Editorial Verbo Divino, which answer the following question: "What can the Church and the communities offer in response to the cultural crisis in Spain and its repercussions on our faith?"

"The crisis has increased the search of some individuals and of smaller groups for a renewal of the language and contents of the faith... but in general one notes a remarkable passivity which tends to perpetrate a style of religion closer to Christendom than to committed contemporary Christianity..."

"Instead of a pastoral approach which tends to 'preserve what one has' we would propose the evangelization of those who are no longer regular Church-goers and we need to analyze the reality surrounding us, so that we can build up our solidarity with the community of the poor and defend the cause of justice..."

It is clear that the Church is trying to provide answers which are in tune with the needs of the communities and of secular society. It is significant that today there are 93 NGO's in Spain, with some 37,000 members working in solidarity with people living on the margin of society whether in Spain or in other countries. This is a positive response to a widespread tendency in Spanish society toward apathy and lack of social commitment. Many of these organizations are Catholic; and it is remarkable that 1,124 of their collaborators and volunteers are actively engaged outside of Spain. One could add to this the fact that 25,000 Spanish missionaries are working outside of the country.

These statistics say nothing about the important factor of age: volunteers tend to be younger, while the missionaries tend to be older. However, on the level of society, this reality serves as a point of comparison and as a challenging witness. This becomes particularly clear when the media, rather frequently, report about their lives and commitments which are both exemplary and dramatic.

3. SVD Missionary Service

The SVD Spanish province came into existence in 1945. The founding members came from Argentina and Germany, and they started a history marked by dedication and enthusiasm that has left its mark on hundreds of Spaniards who are now either missionaries or former students, and who are bound together by ties of friendship and gratitude.

Our Society came to Spain with one clear aim in mind: to search for vocations and to train them for foreign missionary service. This step bore much fruit with regard to people in overseas missions but it also produced a vacuum with regard to our relation to and integration with the local church. Today, as we discuss the idea of taking up mission work in Spain, the SVD can fall back on no tradition of cooperation with the Spanish hierarchy. Nevertheless, an undeniable link between past and present exists in the Editorial Verbo Divino.

3.1 Editorial Verbo Divino (EVD)

Established in 1955, Editorial Verbo Divino (EVD) has become famous for its promotion of the Bible. Its growth has been remarkable and the influence of its publications have been considerable.

In 1997 alone, 52 new books were published and 71 more appeared as new editions. EVD owns the translation rights to 153 editions which have been sold in other countries. In 1997 we printed 1,450,000 copies of "La Biblia del Niño" and 225,000 copies of "La Biblia del Joven" in 3 languages. The ongoing distribution of "La Biblia Latinoamericana" is impressive. Because of all these successes, EVD has become well known both in Spain and in Latin America.

Other projects are being planned: the publication of the Bible both in Chinese and English for distribution in Asian countries and the publication in Spanish of theology texts written by authors from Asia and Africa so as to make their thinking available in the Spanish-speaking world.

3.2 Mission Animation and Vocations Recruitment

Through the years the Secretary of the Missions has successfully extended its area of mission animation in Spain. Under his leadership, "Verbo Mision" was established. It is an association of lay people who are inspired by SVD spirituality and by the activities of the Society and who try to live our missionary charism. The members come mainly from our parishes and from our specific SVD apostolates.

So far, the results of our vocation recruitment program has been minimal, but we are constantly in search of such vocations wherever we are working: among youth, in parish catechesis, among the migrants, and through our publications.

Recalling what was said about NGO's above, we can report that our Province has one such NGO called "Alba." Its aim is to put our people in contact with the world of immigrants and with mission activities abroad. At the same time it takes care of young people unwilling to enter military service for reasons of conscience but who are willing to volunteer their services in missionary service. In cooperation with the program "Campos de Trabajo" run by the vocation office, we make it possible for our youth to experience foreign mission (eg, in Bolivia, Mexico). These are new forms of mission animation which could lead to more vocations.

3.3 SVD Parishes

Our Province has only a moderate presence in the parish apostolate. It nevertheless merits mentioning especially since the parishes give us a chance to get in closer contact with the local church.

Each parish shows unique characteristics. Our parish in Alcorcón (Madrid) is known for its work among the young and this has had an impact at the diocesan level. This gives us the possibility to foster vocations to the missionary and religious life, even in the face of great difficulties. Our parish in Sevilla is known for its care for people living on the margin of society. Our parishes in Pamplona and Valladolid are mainly rural in character, and are administered in accordance with the guidelines of the diocesan bishop.

3.4 Chaplaincies for Migrants

The service which we offer to migrants is perhaps the greatest novelty in our Province. At present, 7 confreres are involved in this apostolate. One of them is the diocesan representative in this area; two are taking care of Filipino migrants, two work with migrants from Poland, one cares for Africans while yet another cares for migrants of all nationalities at a special center.

It is satisfying to be of help to these people, not only because we can attend to their religious needs and help them to integrate them into Spanish society, but also because this apostolate offers us the possibility of recruiting vocations.

3.5 Bible Apostolate

The close ties which EVD has with other people and institutions have made it possible for the Province to be known and to engage in the biblical apostolate with good results.

We are working in close cooperation with "La Casa de la Biblia," an institution linked with the Spanish Bishops' Conference. Together we engage in the publication of books which are quite useful for religious instruction and animation. These books are being used not only in several dioceses but also by many other communities. A few of our confreres dedicate themselves to distributing these materials in the parishes and with the help of groups of priests and laymen.

3.6 Future Prospects

This report emphasizes the new aspects of our work in Spain, but does not mean to disregard other aspects such as formation, administration, cooperation on the zonal level with other provinces in Europe and with the whole congregation as well.

The SVD in Spain is becoming more and more international. We hope that with the growth of our work in this country, more confreres from abroad will come to help us realize another SVD charism: that of an international family at the service of the Church's mission, based on a life lived according to our faith and on the love of neighbor.