Spain is facing a scandal after more than a hundred representatives of religious organizations and communities signed a statement condemning the actions of Badalona Mayor Xavier García Albiol. The controversy erupted following the eviction of four hundred migrants from an abandoned former institute building. The mayor publicly declared he would not offer any assistance to these people, sparking outrage among faith groups and social activists.
The letter, signed by priests, Catholic associations, and foundations, accuses the authorities of deliberately refusing to help those in need. The authors stress that a city cannot be considered just if it leaves people on the streets. They argue it is unacceptable to hide behind the idea of order while destroying lives, and that security cannot be invoked when an atmosphere of exclusion and fear is being created.
Religious communities respond
Among the signatories are more than fifty parish priests and as many church-affiliated organizations. They were joined by representatives from dioceses across the country and a community from La Ceiba, Honduras. Organizations taking a stand against the mayor’s actions include Hermandad Obrera de Acción Católica (HOAC), the women’s movement Revuelta de mujeres en la iglesia de Madrid, the Association of Saint Francis of Assisi, the university community of Saint Thomas Aquinas, and the Council of Apostolic Communities of the Heart of Jesus.
Religious leaders strongly condemned the behavior of some local residents who protested against housing migrants in the Montserrat parish. In their statement, such protests were described as organized, racist, and xenophobic, as well as degrading to human dignity.
Political Consequences
Amid public outcry, MEP from the Comuns party Jaume Asens filed a complaint with the prosecutor’s office on hate crimes and discrimination. The document lists four possible offenses: denial of public services on discriminatory grounds, incitement of hatred, disobeying a court order, and administrative abuse of power.
The complaint notes that the court order authorizing the eviction required authorities to provide alternative housing for those affected in accordance with the municipal homeless protocol. However, the mayor refused to allocate any resources for housing or supporting the evictees.
Housing Challenges
Catalonia’s Minister for Social Rights and Inclusion, Mònica Martínez Bravo, reported that 120 of the most vulnerable among the evicted were temporarily housed to prevent them from sleeping under a bridge. However, not everyone accepted the assistance offered. The minister also criticized the lack of resources in Badalona to handle such emergencies and accused the municipality and the mayor of inaction.
The complaint states that the main municipal shelter Can Bofí Vell was closed, leaving the city without basic emergency housing. It also notes that local residents blocked access to the parish to prevent migrants from using the temporary shelter, and that city authorities did not take measures to prevent such actions.
Escalation of the conflict
On December 21, a group of people blocked the entrance to the parish to prevent evicted migrants from entering. According to reports, the mayor assured the protesters that he would not facilitate the accommodation of these people. During the meeting, xenophobic and stigmatizing remarks were made, which the head of the city did not openly or promptly condemn.
The complaint cites a statement made by Albiol: “Give me some damn time to try to solve this. If not—do whatever you think is necessary.” This remark could be interpreted as indirect approval of collective pressure or the use of force. As evidence, the complaint references video recordings of the meeting, which, according to the applicants, are relevant to the investigation of what happened.
