Introduction
Survivors of the oppressive regime under Francisco Franco in Spain interrupted a Catholic meeting intended to apologize for their suffering, insisting on more comprehensive reparations from both the Church and the state.Context
During Franco’s dictatorial rule from the 1940s until a decade after his death in 1975, thousands of girls and young women were institutionalized in state-run Catholic rehabilitation facilities for various perceived moral failings, such as extramarital pregnancies and leftist activism. These institutions' legacy still evokes deep emotion in Spain today.Developments
On Monday evening, a ceremony took place at the Pablo VI Foundation auditorium in Madrid, organized by a Catholic body that includes most of the communities of nuns involved in operating these centers. The President of the Spanish Confederation of Religious Entities (CONFER) offered a formal apology and invited survivors to share their experiences in a video presentation.However, the event was disrupted by protesters, including survivors in their 60s and 70s, along with activists and supporters. They held banners that read "No," threw them into the audience, and ultimately forced the organizers to suspend the event. The crowd chanted demands for "truth, justice, and reparation," expressing outrage at what they perceived as insufficient acknowledgment of the suffering endured.
Officials from CONFER turned on the lights and ended the event prematurely, later indicating the possibility of issuing a statement in response.
Among the protestors, survivors and organizations like the Banished Daughters of Eve are advocating for reparations similar to those given in the Magdalene Laundries scandal. They are requesting financial compensation to cover medical and psychological support costs, as well as remuneration for unpaid labor performed in these centers.
Before the interruption, CONFER chairman Jesus Diaz Sariego called the apology a significant step towards recognition and pledged the organization’s cooperation in uncovering the truth. He emphasized the moral obligation to ask for forgiveness and highlighted the importance of this action as a matter of historical and ethical responsibility.
Yet, after the event, survivor Consuelo Garcia del Cid dismissed CONFER's apology as superficial, alleging that the organization had altered testimonies and prevented discussions about the infants reportedly taken from unwed mothers in the centers. Garcia del Cid, a prominent advocate for survivors, has authored multiple books on the subject and founded the Banished Daughters of Eve.
Spain's Democratic Memory Ministry, which focuses on addressing the historical injustices from the civil war and Franco's regime, praised CONFER for their initiative and announced plans for a separate ceremony later this year. However, they did not provide additional comments regarding the event itself. Although Equality Minister Ana Redondo attended, she refrained from making any statements during the proceedings.