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Pressure from pro-independence groups forces the bishopric of Vic to cancel the mass that Luis Argüello was to officiate.

Pressure from pro-independence groups forces the bishopric of Vic to cancel the mass that Luis Argüello was to officiate.

Social pressure, spurred on by pro-independence groups, had skyrocketed in recent days and the bishopric of Vic (Barcelona) has been forced to suspend the mass that, as part of the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the death of Sant Miquel dels Sants, patron saint of the town, was to be officiated by Monsignor Luis Argüello , archbishop of Valladolid and current president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE).

"Having learned of the announcement and preparation of several actions contrary to and restricting religious freedom in the context of the celebration of the service of San Miguel de los Santos; and given that these actions could endanger the safety of people and cultural heritage, the Diocese of Vic has decided to suspend the religious services planned for this date in the cathedral and in the birthplace of San Miguel de los Santos," states the statement released this Friday by the Diocese of Vic.

The town's ERC and En Comú Podem groups had stirred tensions throughout the week by publicly expressing their opposition to the bishop's visit, arguing that "his positions are contrary to the values ​​of equality, LGBTQI+ rights, women's rights, and freedom of self-determination." The groups participating in the festivities of Vic's patron saint also issued a statement expressing "clearly and forcefully" their rejection of the presence of the bishop of Valladolid. The culmination of the campaign against the prelate's visit was the town's CDR ( Republican Workers' Committee) with the announcement of a "escrache" (smear protest).

In a tweet posted on the profile of this radical pro-independence group, they invite those sympathetic to the cause to take action against Argüello's visit to the city. The message was posted under the hashtag #ShameBishop#OutArgüello.

"Useful dictionary for July 5, 2025 in Vic. Archbishop of Valladolid Luis Javier Argüello , president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, unionist, far-right Vox affiliate, homophobe, defender of pedophiles and against the right to self-determination," the tweet begins.

The radical separatists also define the Bishop of Vic, Romà Casanova , as "the host of Archbishop Argüello of Valladolid under the pretext of the 400th anniversary of the death of Sant Miquel dels Sants . He has no kinship or resemblance to Rafael Casanova." And they include a glossary of words in which they define 'botifler' as "someone who plays host to a colonizer of their country. 'Neither 'botiflers' nor colonizers!'" they point out.

They also describe "colonizer" as "someone who wants to exploit and exterminate your people" and add that "botiflers and colonizers, to hell two by two." They add that "anyone who conceals the crimes of pedophiles is complicit in pedophilia. Anyone who downplays sexual abuse in the Church is complicit in ecclesiastical pedophilia." They also point out that "anyone who considers homosexuality an illness" is a homophobe, and they attribute to Argüello the statement that "homosexuality has no cure."

Finally, the CDR (Republican Workers' Committee) are demanding a "xiulada," a protest action to boycott the homily. All these protest actions led the bishopric of Vic to back down and cancel the religious service. The town's mayor, Albert Castells (Junts), will appear today at City Hall to address the controversy.

ABC.es

ABC.es

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