Barcelona Cardinal Holds Mass in Defiance of Government Order

Crux ^ | 7/27/20 | Ines San Martin

[marshmallow]

Ignoring a warning from the government of Catalonia, a Spanish cardinal on Sunday led a funeral Mass for the victims of the COVID-19 coronavirus, hours after threatening to take “legal action” against civil authorities for the “arbitrariness” with which the right of religious freedom and worship is being treated.

Up until Friday, the archdiocese hoped the government of Spain’s northeastern Catalonia region would raise the 10-person cap for religious events that was announced July 17 after a second wave of cases hit the region. This announcement came after the invitations for the funeral Mass had already been sent.

However, Cardinal Juan Jose Omella, the archbishop of Barcelona, argued that the cap was an arbitrary attack against religious freedom, a right protected by Spain’s constitution. His said it was not justifiable to allow up to 1000 tourists at a time in the Basilica of the Holy Family, where the funeral Mass was held, but only 10 people if they are attending a religious service.

Even if all the 500 who’d been invited to the ceremony attended, the basilica designed by Antoni Gaudi would have only been at 23 percent capacity.

“During the next few days, we will initiate the appropriate legal actions,” said a statement released by the archdiocese on Sunday, after it became evident the government wouldn’t relent on the limit for religious celebrations. Omella refused to rescind the invitations, which went to the family members of those who died, and the medical staff who were on the front lines during the crisis.

“It is a provision that seems unfair and discriminatory to us taking into account that we have been very careful and respectful in maintaining the sanitary regulations required for closed spaces, presented at all times to the Administration, with the approval of doctors,” Omella’s statement said.

[Pajamajan]

Good for him! 👍

It is so horrible that people can't have funerals or are limited in the service.

But tens of thousands riot=No problem.

Sick.

[ebb tide]

Ping

[livius]

I’m very surprised that he had the courage to do this. But you never know who is going to step forward when the moment comes.

The regional government is probably going to fine him. And of course there have been numerous shrieks from leftist politicians accusing poor Apb Omella of being a mass murderer...despite the fact that they have permitted many heavily attended secular events.

Nice to see that the left is universally crazy.

And congratulations on upcoming martyrdom to Abp Omella.

[Ann Archy]

MORE PRIESTS SHOULD DO THIS!!

[circlecity]

I would hope more Christians follow the example of strong church leaders like this Cardinal and John MacArthur. You do not render unto Caesar what is rightfully God’s.