This marks the first time that bishops collectively hand over a significant portion of ecclesiastical heritage to the Government, aiming to assist the most vulnerable people facing the housing crisis. The agreement is scheduled to be signed on January 27 by the President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, and the Archbishop of Tarragona, Joan Planellas.
The understanding, stemming from the Church's concern over the housing situation and the good rapport between both leaders, also involved the Department of Justice, led by Ramón Espadaler. The intention is to disclose the details of the transfer, which could include about 50 properties in the province of Tarragona alone, for a period of at least 50 years.
“"it is not the same thing to have a plot of land with the possibility of building social housing as it is to have a 200-year-old house that needs to be rehabilitated"
Archbishop Planellas anticipated the advanced conversations, emphasizing the complexity of managing these assets. He indicated that the Generalitat will be responsible for reforming, rehabilitating, or building social housing from scratch on Church properties that are currently unused.
Planellas recalled that the Church traditionally collaborates with the most vulnerable through entities like Càritas. As a precedent, he mentioned the conversion of an old house of spirituality in La Selva del Camp to shelter Ukrainian refugees, demonstrating its capacity for immediate action.
