Spanish Church calls for pardon of Civil War sins

[Timidity]

From Reuters

The head of the Catholic Church in Spain has said it should recognize past sins, in a speech interpreted by media commentators as a plea for forgiveness for Church support for the dictatorship of Gen. Francisco Franco.

An apology by the Church would be immediately put to political use in Spain, especially at a time when the Socialist government is sponsoring a law to recognize victims of the 1936-39 war and the subsequent dictatorship.

But what Blazquez actually said was more nuanced than a straightforward apology for the Church’s behavior in the Civil War, during which it gave its backing for Franco’s military coup as a “Christian crusade.”

 

[Roy5]

The fact that Franco’s army had the active military aid of Hitler and Mussolini was plenty of reason for the RC Church to beware of giving its full support of the Spanish fascists.
That was a war where much evil was perpetuated by both sides. The close identification of Catholicism with the nationalist side was unfortunate and led many observers to view the Vatican as an ally of fascism. Its goal then (as now) should be to urge reconciliation, justice and peace.

 

[RomanCrusader]

Francisco Franco was a great man and a great Catholic. I am ashamed of the Spanish Church for turning its back on a noble man like Generalissimo Franco.

The Church has nothing to apologize for, except its own cowardice for betraying Franco like this.

 

[RomanCrusader]

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
VIVE FRANCO

 

[mkarzon]

Franco received aid from Germany and Italy because no one other country would help him.

Yes, there were atrocities committed in the Spanish Civil War by all sides, but the revolutionaries (those who Franco and the Crusaders fought) by far committed the greater of them including the martyrdom/murder of 13 bishops, and over 6000 priests, seminarians, monks, and nuns in 1936.

What Franco did during the war and during his “dictatorship”, was done in greater part to fight communism. And for that, much of what he did can be forgiven. Unless you have forgotten what Stalin did to 20 million in his country.

 

[mlchance]

What Franco did during the war and during his “dictatorship”, was done in greater part to fight communism. And for that, much of what he did can be forgiven.

So, then, the end does justify the means. It’s all quite clear now.

– Mark L. Chance.

 

[RomanCrusader]

So, then, the end does justify the means. It’s all quite clear now.

– Mark L. Chance.

Would you rather have let the communists slaughter half of Spain and establish a Soviet satellite state? Had that happened the Cold War would likely have turned out a whole lot differently, and it wouldn’t be good.

Franco and his heroic nationalist soldiers are probably the only reason we are alive to type this.

 

[ilovekittens]

Would you rather have let the communists slaughter half of Spain and establish a Soviet satellite state? Had that happened the Cold War would likely have turned out a whole lot differently, and it wouldn’t be good.

Franco and his heroic nationalist soldiers are probably the only reason we are alive to type this.

Hitler was valiantly fighting communism, too. Too bad he didn’t win, right?

 

[RomanCrusader]

Hitler was valiantly fighting communism, too. Too bad he didn’t win, right?

Hitler was a pagan who persecuted the Church, and originally made an alliance with the communist USSR. The nazis and commies joined forces to invade Catholic Poland. Hitler was a cruel and evil man who exterminated large amounts of innocent people and I am pretty positive he is roasting in hell.

Franco on the other hand loved the Church and prayed the rosary daily. He killed when he had to, but he did not go over the top. He crushed the communist beast and he fought the nazis in his own way (took in refugees fleeing nazi territory, protected allied airmen, refused to let the Germans use vital Spanish territory as a base of operations, etc.).

To compare Hitler and Franco is insane my friend.

 

[zjl56]

While both Franco and Salazar fought against oppressors of the Church, nothing can excuse some of their needless actions. No side can be labeled as really good or evil, and it was unfortunate that the Vatican was seen in the light of fascist Spain. I believe that the Vatican though had the best intentions by supporting Franco. For so many years anti catholic prejudices had ruled in Mexico, Spain, France and Portugal. So while Franco did commit atrocities, his movement was justified against the oppression done by the Spanish Republic.