Beatification divides Spain

The journalist and writer Lorenzo Mondo considers the beatification of the Spanish martyrs. "The 498 Spaniards ... who were beatified on October 28th by the Pope represent the tip of the iceberg of the anti-religious persecution that killed at least seven thousand people between 1934 an 1936. We are led to remember the abominable massacre of a civil war that tore apart Europe's conscience. Especially as the Zapatero government is adopting a law on historical memory to honour republican victims. Of foremost importance is the crucial freedom that everyone has to raise their dead without resorting to political exploitation. ... The massacre's death count can represent a pious testimony to the dead and redemption for those of good faith who escaped ignominy. It cannot be used to celebrate a dark page of history that nobody can honestly glorify."

» to the homepage (external link, La Stampa)
More from the press review on the subject » History, » Italy, » Spain