From the Episcopal Palace of Tarragona, Planellas, who has served as archbishop for over six years, emphasized that the Church does not identify with any specific political option, but exclusively with the values of the Gospel. He defended the Holy Father's stance on war, stating that the 'no to war' is an evangelical principle that transcends right-wing or left-wing ideologies.
“"The Church does not identify with any political option, only with the Gospel."
The archbishop expressed his support for the Pope's view on war, especially in the context of the conflict with Iran, noting that the Church's social doctrine is based on human dignity. He criticized that economic interests, such as the oil business, often prevail over human well-being, leading to more suffering, especially for persecuted Christians in these regions.
Regarding social and political polarization, Planellas observed a loss of moral references worldwide and expressed concern about the influence of certain groups within the Church that foster a closed Christianity aligned with extreme political tendencies. He recalled the Pope's warning against extremism and the need to monitor positions that may go against the Gospel.
“"In this war, what matters is business. It only implies more suffering for people."
In relation to immigration, Planellas defended the extraordinary regularization of over half a million immigrants planned by the Government, criticizing the hypocrisy of a society that needs migrants for the underground economy but rejects them. He also addressed the issue of euthanasia, expressing his opposition to therapeutic sedation and emphasizing the importance of accompaniment and support for suffering individuals, without justifying the termination of life.
