Henceforth, this type of defense was seen as credible. In 1986, Spandolini, the Minister of Defense, raged against Catholics for not respecting the state, avoiding however the theme of a new, alternative defense. Moreover, he decided to put pressure on conscientious objectors to take up military service. But this action was counter-productive. Indeed, now everybody knows that in Italy, out of 400,000 youth eligible for military service hardly more than 200,000 carry out the service.
Exemption is very easy.
Only the poorest or the most honest enter the service. Above all, the Catholics have taken a decisive position. For three years Pax Christi has not only participated in but also promoted the Campaign for Fiscal Objection. In 1987 the Zancan Foundation organised a conference on DPN in Italy with proceedings published by an important editor, Cedam of Padova. Finally, in December of that year the Italian bishops were ordered to refrain from talking about fiscal objection until Cardinal Ratzinger could publish an official document on the subject.