Basque priests / Spanish Civil War
Given the upcoming movies, There be Dragons, about Opus Dei founder Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer and his years during the Spanish Civil War during which time he has been said to be a supporter of Franco, I was interested to see this story today at Independent Catholic News about the Basque priests killed by Franco's side during the war - the Church supported Franco's 1936 insurgency against the left-wing Republican government, but the Basques, including their priests, were mostly Republicans ......
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Spain: Bishops apologise for Church silence over Civil War killings
A memorial service was held on Sunday, for 14 priests executed by Franco’s forces in the Basque Country during the Spanish Civil War.
The bishops of the Basque Country have issued an apology for the Church’s silence over the episode. None of the priests was given a proper funeral, nor did most of them have their deaths registered.
Speaking at the Mass in the Cathedral of the Basque regional capital yesterday, The Bishop of Vitoria, Miguel Asurmendi, said: “today we settle an outstanding debt, for the unjustifiable silence of Church officials over the deaths of the priests…" "Such a long silence was not only a wrongful omission, but a lack of truth and an act against justice and charity, for which we ask pardon," Bishop Asurmendi said.
The service was attended by the Bishops of Bilbao and San Sebastián, representatives of the Basque government and other politicians, more than 200 priests, and friends and family of the priests who died.
Bishop Asurmendi asked for forgiveness in the name of the Church in the Basque Country, saying the intention is not to ‘reopen wounds’ but to help to heal them. He called on God to give the Basque people the strength they need to reject violence as a way of resolving differences and conflict.
Only two of the deaths were recorded on parish registries, and the remaining 12 are now to be officially registered, with details also on each of the priests to be published in the official bulletin of their respective dioceses.
The apology marks the first time the Church in Spain has expressed any remorse for its role in the Spanish Civil War. The Church hierarchy supported Franco from the moment the war began in 1936 and continued throughout the 40-year dictatorship.
The priests, killed in 1936 and 1937, had been officially forgotten. The "painful circumstances" surrounding their deaths were unknown, Bishop Asurmendi said, but "testimony from many of their parishioners and companions indicates they were seized while they carried out their duties. For years their names were relegated to silence.” Two of the priests were known to have been shot.
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Spain: Bishops apologise for Church silence over Civil War killings
A memorial service was held on Sunday, for 14 priests executed by Franco’s forces in the Basque Country during the Spanish Civil War.
The bishops of the Basque Country have issued an apology for the Church’s silence over the episode. None of the priests was given a proper funeral, nor did most of them have their deaths registered.
Speaking at the Mass in the Cathedral of the Basque regional capital yesterday, The Bishop of Vitoria, Miguel Asurmendi, said: “today we settle an outstanding debt, for the unjustifiable silence of Church officials over the deaths of the priests…" "Such a long silence was not only a wrongful omission, but a lack of truth and an act against justice and charity, for which we ask pardon," Bishop Asurmendi said.
The service was attended by the Bishops of Bilbao and San Sebastián, representatives of the Basque government and other politicians, more than 200 priests, and friends and family of the priests who died.
Bishop Asurmendi asked for forgiveness in the name of the Church in the Basque Country, saying the intention is not to ‘reopen wounds’ but to help to heal them. He called on God to give the Basque people the strength they need to reject violence as a way of resolving differences and conflict.
Only two of the deaths were recorded on parish registries, and the remaining 12 are now to be officially registered, with details also on each of the priests to be published in the official bulletin of their respective dioceses.
The apology marks the first time the Church in Spain has expressed any remorse for its role in the Spanish Civil War. The Church hierarchy supported Franco from the moment the war began in 1936 and continued throughout the 40-year dictatorship.
The priests, killed in 1936 and 1937, had been officially forgotten. The "painful circumstances" surrounding their deaths were unknown, Bishop Asurmendi said, but "testimony from many of their parishioners and companions indicates they were seized while they carried out their duties. For years their names were relegated to silence.” Two of the priests were known to have been shot.
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posted by crystal | 2:19 PM
3 Comments:
I don't know if I'll even be close to your topic but I must have supper now cause as we all know, we can't live on love alone cause "IT" is not fare to the rest of the world. :)
Anyway when you started talking about movies I felt that I should share this with you which is that I asked God why is it that on occasions, I really enjoy certain movies and this is what He seems to have told me:
Victor believe "IT" or not but you really do have a soul and spirit and when you watch some of these movies, they actually enjoy taking part in some of them and the more that they enjoy these films, the more enjoyment that "IT" also brings your entire flesh so you see Victor this is why you must be careful which movies that you look at because trust me they, your soul and spirit need all the help that you, God and His Angel can supply them.
Good night and thanks again.
Goodnight, Victor :)
ceYes the way of the of the church. Evil done is recognized after the benefit is secure.
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