The Minister of Justice and Democratic Quality of the Generalitat, Ramon Espadaler, defended this Saturday the concept of 'healthy secularism' as a model for the relationship between public institutions and religious confessions in a democratic and plural society. He did so in Reus, during the institutional event inaugurating the XII Congress of Holy Week Brotherhoods of Catalonia, a gathering that brings together representatives of brotherhoods and associations from across the Catalan territory.

Espadaler's intervention took place shortly before the visit of Pope Leo XIV to Catalonia, a circumstance that, he noted, invites reflection on the role of religious traditions in contemporary society and on how public administrations and confessions can collaborate based on mutual respect and differentiation of responsibilities.

Addressing criticism questioning the legitimacy of the Generalitat's involvement in the apostolic visit, the minister explained that his approach is inspired by the concept of 'healthy secularism' formulated by Benedict XVI. In his view, this is a perspective far removed from rigid or exclusionary approaches, adapted to the plural reality of current societies.

Espadaler argued that collaboration between civil and religious institutions can positively contribute to areas such as heritage preservation, cultural promotion, and strengthening social cohesion. He recalled that Joseph Ratzinger defined this healthy secularism as the ability to "free religion from the burden of politics and enrich politics with religion's contributions," while maintaining a clear distinction between the two spheres. According to the minister, this model protects both politics and religion from potential instrumentalization and guarantees freedom of belief without interference from partisan interests.

He also highlighted the role of popular piety and brotherhoods, defending them as key elements for social cohesion, a sense of belonging, and the transmission of shared values: "They enrich us as a society, they structure us, they unite us, and they allow us to remember our roots," he stated. He emphasized that these entities combine cultural, heritage, and traditional dimensions with a deep spiritual root, helping to keep alive an intangible heritage that is part of Catalonia's collective identity.

The event was attended by, among others, the President of the Parliament, Josep Rull, the mayor of Reus, Sandra Guaita, the Archbishop of Tarragona, Joan Planellas, and the Archbishop of Urgell and co-prince of Andorra, Josep Lluís Serrano.