While assuring that he handles the situation with "complete tranquility," Planellas harshly criticized what he considers a "hijacking" of the congregation by a small group of people. The archbishop recalled that the parish property belongs to La Sang, but that the entity "is not four people who have hijacked it."
“"As young people say, it is mind-blowing that there is a parish in Tarragona where its archbishop cannot enter."
The Archdiocese recalled that the Congregation was blessed in 1950 by a predecessor of Planellas, and that article 4 of its Statutes obliges members to maintain "respect and obedience to the authority of the Church." Planellas explained that attempts were made to dialogue with the dismissed board, warning them that they are "closing themselves off in confrontation and conflict" instead of updating to promote generational change.
This conflict escalated with the appearance of anonymous pamphlets in the streets of Reus last Tuesday. The posters, which emulate communiqués from the terrorist group ETA with figures hooded in Holy Week robes, bear the label "Comando Roma." The message, which includes the initials of members of the dismissed board, suggests that the commissioner of La Sang, Javier Balañá, will soon detain them for organizing Holy Week.
The dismissal of the board, led by the former treasurer Antoni Olmos, was signed in October by decree of Planellas. The measure created a delegated commission to reorganize the congregation, update the statutes, and call elections, led by the lawyer Javier Balañá de Eguía with the support of the prior Joaquim Fortuny.
