And He's Not The Only One...
It's a sad indictment of the Roman Catholic Church that it chose to align itself with General Francisco Franco's fascist ideology for the future of Spain. Many of its churches have in place proud Nationalist plaques and stained glass windows, installed in honour of "Those Who Fell for God and for Spain".
Mementos of the past which will now have to be removed, unfortunately. For the simple reason that to retain them, under new legislation, will result in defying the law.
The government of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has enacted a new law titled The Law of Historical Memory which declares that all symbols related to General Franco and his Falange movement must be removed from public buildings. To do otherwise is to bring down the wrath of the government.
And unless the Catholic Church respects this new legislation, government funding to Catholic schools will be no more.
The memory of the 1936-39 civil war, and the 36 years that followed of fascist totalitarian rule continues to divide Spaniards in their loyalties, some siding with Franco's rule, others with the Republicans - communists who were supported by the Soviet Union. During the Spanish Civil War an international brigade was established with volunteers pouring in from all corners of the globe to defeat fascism.
Including one and a half thousand Canadian volunteers, determined to fight for freedom - half of whom died in the attempt. A failed one, at that. During the next three decades of Franco's rule, fifty thousand Republicans were executed, tens of thousands incarcerated. Resulting in bitter memories and an ongoing polarization of opinion within Spain.
But this current government is seeking to make amends, rehabilitating victims of the Franco regime, removing all symbols of the Franco and Falange movement; whether plaques, street signs or statues. Through declaring verdicts of summary trials held by the Franco regime against political challengers as illegitimate, the slate is wiped clean for victims' families who may now seek legal redress and compensation.
The offspring of Republicans who were forced to flee into exile may now regain Spanish citizenship. Mr. Zapatero himself will now experience peace of mind with the thought that his grandfather, executed by Falange forces, can have his memory honoured in law as well as in spirit.
The Archbishop of Pamplona urges Spaniards on each side of the issue "to look for ways to forget". Perhaps now they may be able to.
Mementos of the past which will now have to be removed, unfortunately. For the simple reason that to retain them, under new legislation, will result in defying the law.
The government of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has enacted a new law titled The Law of Historical Memory which declares that all symbols related to General Franco and his Falange movement must be removed from public buildings. To do otherwise is to bring down the wrath of the government.
And unless the Catholic Church respects this new legislation, government funding to Catholic schools will be no more.
The memory of the 1936-39 civil war, and the 36 years that followed of fascist totalitarian rule continues to divide Spaniards in their loyalties, some siding with Franco's rule, others with the Republicans - communists who were supported by the Soviet Union. During the Spanish Civil War an international brigade was established with volunteers pouring in from all corners of the globe to defeat fascism.
Including one and a half thousand Canadian volunteers, determined to fight for freedom - half of whom died in the attempt. A failed one, at that. During the next three decades of Franco's rule, fifty thousand Republicans were executed, tens of thousands incarcerated. Resulting in bitter memories and an ongoing polarization of opinion within Spain.
But this current government is seeking to make amends, rehabilitating victims of the Franco regime, removing all symbols of the Franco and Falange movement; whether plaques, street signs or statues. Through declaring verdicts of summary trials held by the Franco regime against political challengers as illegitimate, the slate is wiped clean for victims' families who may now seek legal redress and compensation.
The offspring of Republicans who were forced to flee into exile may now regain Spanish citizenship. Mr. Zapatero himself will now experience peace of mind with the thought that his grandfather, executed by Falange forces, can have his memory honoured in law as well as in spirit.
The Archbishop of Pamplona urges Spaniards on each side of the issue "to look for ways to forget". Perhaps now they may be able to.
Labels: Crisis Politics, Justice
posted by Pieface | 7:00 PM
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