Manifesto

For secularism and against public privileges for the visit of Pope Leo XIV

Coinciding with the visit to Barcelona of the head of the Catholic Church next June, we want to reaffirm our commitment to secularism as a fundamental principle of coexistence. We understand secularism as the framework that guarantees freedom of conscience and the effective separation between the State and religious denominations.Església catòlica el pròxim mes de juny, volem reafirmar el nostre compromís amb la laïcitat com a principi fonamental de convivència. Entenem la laïcitat com el marc que garanteix la llibertat de consciència i la separació efectiva entre l’Estat i les confessions.

However, we are concerned that this religious visit is treated by institutions as a State visit, with the deployment of public resources that this implies. This confusion weakens institutional neutrality and perpetuates privileged treatment that contradicts the constitutionally recognized principle of State neutrality.visita d’Estat, amb el desplegament de recursos públics que això implica. Aquesta confusió debilita la neutralitat institucional i perpetua un tracte privilegiat que contradiu el principi d’aconfessionalitat reconegut constitucionalment.

We denounce that the Agreements between the Spanish State and the Holy See, inherited from the context of the Spanish Transition, remain in force and condition our democracy through the public financing of the Church, its presence in the educational system and unjustifiable tax and property benefits.Acords entre l’Estat espanyol i la Santa Seu, heretats del context de la Transició, continuen vigents i condicionen la nostra democràcia a través del finançament públic de l’Església, la seva presència al sistema educatiu i uns beneficis fiscals i patrimonials injustificables.

This situation is even more serious considering that the Church:

Violates civil rights: It opposes personal autonomy in reproductive rights (abortion) and the right to a dignified death (euthanasia), in addition to not fully adhering to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.Vulnera drets civils: S’oposa a l’autonomia personal en drets reproductius (avortament) i al dret a una mort digna (eutanàsia), a més de no adherir-se plenament a la Declaració Universal dels Drets Humans.
Maintains a debt with Historical Memory: It has not apologized for its role in the 1936 coup d'état nor for its complicity with the dictatorship (Patronato de Protección a la Mujer [Women's Protection Board], stolen children).Manté un deute amb la Memòria: No ha demanat perdó pel seu paper en el cop d’estat del 1936 ni per la seva complicitat amb la dictadura (Patronat de Protecció a la Dona, nens robats).
Perpetuates opacity: Faced with cases of pedophilia and the maintenance of privileges such as unilateral land registrations, which have allowed the Church to register in its name thousands of assets (temples, land, housing and monuments) that are part of the collective heritage, financed or maintained with resources from all of society.Perpetua l’opacitat: Davant els casos de pederàstia i el manteniment de privilegis com les immatriculacions, que han permès a l’Església inscriure al seu nom milers de béns (temples, terrenys, habitatges i monuments) que formen part del patrimoni col·lectiu, finançats o mantinguts amb recursos de tota la societat.
Maintains the patriarchal structure: It relegates women to a secondary and subordinate role, and uses its political influence to hinder fundamental human rights.Manté l’estructura patriarcal: Relega la dona a un paper secundari i subaltern, i utilitza la seva influència política per obstaculitzar drets humans fonamentals.

For all these reasons, we demand:

That the neutrality of public institutions be guaranteed in the face of this visit.
That public resources are not allocated to the organization of religious events.
That institutional representatives do not participate in liturgical acts in their capacity as public officials.
That public media coverage be reviewed to ensure pluralism and avoid preferential treatment.
That progress be made towards the repeal of the Agreements with the Holy See.
That public financing of religious denominations be ended.
That a fully secular education be guaranteed.
That the tax and real estate privileges of the Church be reviewed, including unilateral land registrations.

Only through the effective separation between the State and religions can an inclusive democracy be ensured. We encourage all citizens, entities and social movements to sign the manifesto.