The Spanish bishops spoke out this Thursday through their spokesperson against the amnesty. The words of the secretary general of the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE), Francisco César García Magán, break the tendency of the current pontificate to distance the bishops from the political situation. Giving opinions on euthanasia, abortion, divorce or educational laws has become commonplace for ecclesiastical representatives, but, until now, they have been very cautious in analyzing specific issues of Spanish politics. And it is striking that they do so about the amnesty, the scope and content of which are still unknown.
The prelate, auxiliary bishop of Toledo, said very clearly that, in his opinion, Spain is not experiencing an “exceptional historical situation” that justifies the application of this measure. Although hours later the EEC itself pointed out that they were statements by its spokesperson and that they did not have the same status as an official note, it was not considered appropriate to deny it. This position contrasts with that of the Spanish Church in reference to pardons. “We are for dialogue and forgiveness,” his spokesperson said then.
The statement expressed yesterday by the Spanish Episcopal Conference is another pressure lever of the many that have been activated in recent weeks to try to prevent the agreement of the PSOE with the progressive and independence forces that ends up facilitating the investiture of Pedro Sánchez. At the same time, and with a will contrary to that of the bishops, Junts and ERC also tightened the screws on the socialists with a declaration that will be voted on today in Parliament that conditions this future investiture on Sánchez’s commitment to work for a referendum – yes – agreed with the State.
I would like to talk to you about other things in this section, but I am afraid that these next two months we are going to experience intense days of political activity. Between some who are pulling on one side so that there is no amnesty and others who are pulling on the other so that there is amnesty and two hard-boiled eggs, Sánchez’s investiture is going to cost a lot, despite the fact that the socialist leader continues to display optimism enviable.
