Spanish bishops have acknowledged that during a meeting with pope León XIV, he warned about the risks of aligning faith with ideological movements, particularly concerning the rise of the far-right.
In a recent public statement, the Spanish Bishops' Conference (CEE) confirmed that during a meeting with Pope León XIV last November, he highlighted the dangers of merging faith with ideologies. This acknowledgment follows a report by El País, which detailed the Pope's concerns about the rise of far-right movements and their attempts to co-opt the Catholic Church to sway religious voters without naming specific parties or extreme groups.
The Pope's message is significant as it outlines the direction he encourages the Spanish episcopate to adopt in light of these political developments. By addressing the issue, León XIV aims to draw attention not only to the need for faith to remain independent of political agendas but also to protect the integrity of the Church from being used for electoral gain by far-right factions. Such warnings resonate with the increasing visibility and influence of right-wing parties in Spanish politics.
This statement from the bishops may have broader implications for how the Catholic Church in Spain engages with political issues going forward, emphasizing a commitment to uphold its spiritual mission above ideological entanglements. The emphasis on caution against instrumentalization reflects historical sensitivities within the Church, especially concerning its role in social justice and public morality amid growing political polarization in Spain.
