SPAIN SEEKS VATICAN APPROVAL OF LEGISLATION ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75-00001R000300350001-6
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 11, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 19, 1998
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: December 23, 1966
• Content Type: BULL

Sanitized - A T pro For-Release : CIA-RDP75-00 000-6655000-1-6-
ff.
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Vol. XXXIII - 49th year
""' B
'ILY NEW6
A
660 FIRST AVENUE ? NEW YORK 16. N.Y.
Contents Copyright: Republication only by previous arrangement
,Friday,. December 23, 1966
N o. 2L
RUHft~KS VATICAN APPROVAL OF LEGISLATION ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION
MADRID, Dec. 22. (JTA) -- The legislation providing for freedom of religion in SpE
or Jews and Protestants, endorsed by the Spanish College of Bishops and approved by a
ational referendum this month, will not be sent for passage to the Cortes, the Spanish Par
iament, until it is endorsed by the Vatican, it was learned here today. The legislation,
hich has been in preparation for 10 years, has been scheduled to be placed before the Cor
es on January 20. .
Generalissimo Franco received yesterday the international president of the B'nai
'rith, Dr. William Wexler, and told him that he considered the legislation as a "simple ac
f justice." Dr. Wexler was accompanied by Saul E. Joftes, director-general of the B'nai
'rith office of international affairs. The two leaders also met with other high Spanish of-
icials and suggested to them that they send an exhibit of the art of Spanish Jews to the
nited States.
The new legislation will allow Jews and other non-Catholics to worship openly in
learly-marked houses of worship, to form religious associations, to celebrate civil mar-
riages and to be buried in their own cemeteries. Members of the non-Catholic faiths also
ill be free from obligatory attendance at Catholic services or teachings in Spanish schools
rmed forces and prisons.
Sanitized -Approved For Release : CIA-RDP75-00001 R00030 .;., .