15 Jun, 2016 @ 11:19
1 min read

Criminal ‘hate speech’ proceedings begin against Spanish Cardinal who warned of ‘gay empire’ and ‘radical feminism’

cardinal spain
cardinal spain
UNDER FIRE: Cardinal

CRIMINAL proceedings against a Spanish Cardinal have begun in Valencia.

The Archbishop of Valencia, Cardinal Antonio Canizares, has been charged with inciting hate crimes after his homily in May was branded homophobic, xenophobic and sexist.

He made the comments at a Mass in the Catholic University of Valencia’s chapel, on the eve of the International Day Against Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

He said: “The family is haunted today, in our culture, by an endless threat of serious difficulties, and this is not hidden from anyone.

“We have legislation contrary to the family, the action of political and social forces, with added movements and actions of the gay empire, of ideas such as radical feminism, or the most insidious of all, gender theory.”

He went on to decry Europe’s open door policy on migrants.

A criminal complaint was filed by the Lambda LGBT collective who accused the Cardinal of hate speech.

He retracted his comments and said he was sorry if his words ‘hurt or bothered’ anyone.

A further 55 pro LGBT groups added themselves to the complaint.

The Spanish Network of Help to Refugees said: “Canizares is an ultra-conservative trying to subvert the constitutional order.

“He has the nostalgia for other times when immigrants, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transexuals and women were subjected to the dictates of a society governed by the powers of the Catholic Church.”

The controversial Cardinal recently held a private meeting with the Pope Francis, who reportedly encouraged him to stand firm in his positions.

 

Laurence Dollimore

Laurence Dollimore is a Spanish-speaking, NCTJ-trained journalist with almost a decade’s worth of experience.
The London native has a BA in International Relations from the University of Leeds and and an MA in the same subject from Queen Mary University London.
He earned his gold star diploma in multimedia journalism at the prestigious News Associates in London in 2016, before immediately joining the Olive Press at their offices on the Costa del Sol.
After a five-year stint, Laurence returned to the UK to work as a senior reporter at the Mail Online, where he remained for two years before coming back to the Olive Press as Digital Editor in 2023.
He continues to work for the biggest newspapers in the UK, who hire him to investigate and report on stories in Spain.
These include the Daily Mail, Telegraph, Mail Online, Mail on Sunday and The Sun and Sun Online.
He has broken world exclusives on everything from the Madeleine McCann case to the anti-tourism movement in Tenerife.

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1 Comment

  1. The Catholic Church greatly mourns the passing of it’s priestly powers on formerly compliant populations. Following the millions paid out to victims of perverted church members, this guy has some nerve to try and vilify respectable members of the LGBT community. Although he “retracted” comments, the damage is done. He flung the mud knowing some would stick.
    Is the pope mentioned here, the same one who has pleaded for aid to refugees and even took a few home with him? Who has also asked for understanding and tolerance for alternative sexual attitudes?
    Nice to see Valencia’s new left-wing administration is taking action on this. More please!

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