CUBA-L Archives

Archiver > CUBA > 2002-01 > 1010722785


From: "Dora Dixon" <>
Subject: [CUBA-L] Petition to some Spanish Bishops
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 23:19:45 -0500
References: <00c401c19988$ed15b7b0$0100a8c0@z4>


Hi everyone,

I've just subscribed to your List and would like to thank you all for the
tremendous support you are giving to the petition to (some) Spanish
Bishoprics.

My name is Dora Dixon, I live in Toronto, Canada (another immigrant :-) but
all my ancestors were from Spain. A few months ago in the Spanish List
(RedIris) we got serious about this issue of the bishops restricting the
access to documents that many of us believe should be available to all. We
had been talking about it for a while but there are so many aspects to
consider that the whole project seems overwhelming. Some of us decided that
maybe a petition could be a good start. We were wondering how many people
felt as frustrated as we are. By the response it generated in your List, I
can tell it's also an issue in Cuba. I also heard of similar problems from
folks of the Argentina List.

Some of the issues at hand (so far):
Many documents have already been microfilmed but the bishops won't allow
access to them (unless you go to Utah or the bishopric itself)
Many bishops have refused to let the Mormons microfilm the documents in
their jurisdiction, period.
We are not sure of their reasons. Some speculations: fear of losing
ownership, some charge for this documents and would lose their "business",
some say the Mormons baptize the dead, others say they were certifying
copies they were not allowed to.
Why not convince the Church to microfilm their own documents? or better yet,
why not digitalize? Problems: lack of money (they say). Possible solutions:
volunteers, donations.
One bishopric asked the Mormons to purchase them a film reader. If they get
it, they lift the restriction. The Mormons refuse. We could get companies to
donate readers (or do fundraisers).
Why not talk with each bishop and ask the reasons for the restriction? We
cannot find anyone to agree to "talk" or lobby the bishops. It should be
someone who knows the way they operate.
There is an agreement between the government of Spain and the Church by
which the Church agreed to cooperate with the government to make historic,
artistic and documental Church assets accessible to the society as a whole.
How can we get to enforce it?

There are more issues, but these will give you an idea of the complexity of
the project. It's feasible, but it will take lots of time, commitment and
patience.

Anyway. Being my first message, I think it's enough. I'm delighted to be in
this lively group. Thank you all for your help.

Dora Dixon



This thread: