Church gives "blessing" to Socialist Party

11 March 2008

MADRID – Cardinal Antonio María Rouco Varela, the conservative archbishop of Madrid, sent a letter Monday congratulating José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s Socialist Party (PSOE) on its election victory.

Rouco, who was elected by a slim majority last week, said the Church offered its "blessing" to help the PSOE find strength in leading Spain.

Rouco has been a fierce critic of reforms by Zapatero, such as allowing same-sex marriage and increased stem-cell research, and many observers expect the two to clash over the next four-year legislature.

Church gives “blessing” to Socialist Party