For those who are interested, here is a rough translation of that letter --
Jehovah's Christian Witnesses
September 4, 2008
TO CONGREGATIONS
Dear Brothers,
It is our pleasure to write and bring to your attention news that is of particular significance for Jehovah's Witnesses in Spain.
Witnesses have been active in this country since the beginning of the twentieth century. However, we did not obtain legal recognition of our work until 1970. Since then the Lord has abundantly blessed this part of the world's territory. We have now spent several consecutive months exceeding 100,000 publishers.
Mid-year 2006 we got another historical recognition. We were declared Religion obviously rooted in Spain. This recognition provided for in the law regulating the exercise of religious freedom is given to the Witnesses due to their presence in the country, scope, number of believers, historic presence and influence, among other reasons. This statement is the culmination of a process that began in the year 1990 and allows us to hold strong hopes of improving our legal status in the near future. We will inform you timely of further developments in this regard.
The other issue which we wish to inform has to do with the Religious Order of Jehovah's Witnesses, composed of missionaries, special pioneers, bethelites, assembly hall caretakers and traveling overseers. In the year 2003, the world order was legal in our country through its entry in the Register of Religious Entities of the Ministry of Justice. Subsequently, the Governing Body approved the request for integration of members of the Order in the General System of Social Security as "ministers of religion."
As a result of a request by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs for that purpose, the Council of Ministers approved last December by a Royal Decree which included members of the Religious Order of Jehovah's Witnesses in Spain in Social Security. This standard ratified the status of religious ministers ordered the special full-time servants appointed by the Corps Gobemante. It also recognizes that any activity that takes place within the Order represents an altruistic religious service designed to promote the witnessing work. Those brothers are now able to benefit from the protective action of Social Security, such as health care and other related public benefits. Finally, given the religious nature of the activities, several exclusions were incorporated in the price that should make the confession to Social Security by each member of the Order.
We hope that these developments have a positive effect on the work of preaching the good news of the Kingdom during the "last days" in which we live. We have good reason to look to the future with optimism as we continue to strive to render service to our Creator who deserves praise (Psalm 107:31,32,38).
Have our gratitude for your support and cooperation while we send our Christian love.
Your brothers,
NOTE TO THE PRESIDING OVERSEER: Please have an elder read this at the first service meeting upon receipt. Thank you very much for your kind cooperation.
