Spanish Justice Minister Critiques Episcopal Conference for Political Engagement
On Friday, Félix Bolaños, the Minister of Justice, Presidency, and Relations with the Cortes, addressed a letter to Luis Argüello, the president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE), expressing concern over the Church's recent deviation from political neutrality. This statement follows the CEE's call for early elections, which Bolaños interprets as an alignment with partisan politics, contradicting the institution's historical role. Despite this deviation, he reassured that the government respects the Church-State relationship and will continue to engage in dialogue.
In the letter, Bolaños stated that the Church's recent demands echo the sentiments of the main opposition parties, particularly concerning alleged corruption involving Santos Cerdán, the former Secretary of Organization of the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE). This connection raised eyebrows, especially after Argüello’s participation in an event with far-right political figures who have also criticized the current government.
The Minister went further to criticize the CEE for promoting agendas that, in his view, threaten the rights of women, artists, and the LGTBI community. He suggested that the calls for a change in government could be strategically motivated by a desire to evade accountability on pressing issues, such as the rectification of past abuses within the Church and the ongoing controversial practices concerning conversion therapies aimed at LGTBI individuals.
Bolaños also challenged the CEE's silence regarding corruption cases tied to the People’s Party (PP), stressing that the government has taken proactive steps to address allegations within its ranks. He underscored the importance of political and institutional respect, urging the CEE to commit to a stance of neutrality and to refrain from political partisanship.
As the letter concluded, Bolaños acknowledged the government's willingness to engage constructively with the Church to foster a cooperative relationship. The ongoing dialogue is deemed essential for navigating complex societal issues while upholding the principle of separation between church and state.
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