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Date Published: 16/11/2021
ARCHIVED - Mass for the fallen cancelled in Alicante over Franco publicity images on social media
The Valencia government has asked town councils to cancel celebrations marking the death of the dictator on November 20 "which do not comply with the Law of Democratic Memory"
A mass 'for the fallen' which was due to be held at the Cathedral of San Nicolás de Alicante on Thursday November 18, coinciding with the anniversary of the death of dictator Francisco Franco, has been cancelled.
A group of around 15 people had requested the mass "for all the fallen" during the dictatorship, but have since decided to cancel following controversy over images used of Franco and Primo de Rivera promoting the ceremony on social media networks.
The Dean of San Nicolás, Ramón Egío, said that whilst he is happy the mass has been cancelled, because "the vision of the Church is to unite and not to divide", he stressed he cannot prevent anyone from praying for those who lost their lives, and added that a mass "for the fallen does not have to refer only to the dead on the Francoist side".
Cathedral of San Nicolás
According to the Dean, the ceremony organisers told him they were cancelling the mass because of the threat of sanctions and legal action made by the regional government.
"It was not necessary to stir up the past and arrive at this situation; I recognise that the poster caused offence because, in principle, it was a mass for all the fallen", the priest said, adding: "We do not ask for a political card from people who come to pray and ask for a mass, besides the fact that it was not a tribute. If someone comes to ask for a mass for the deceased, we allow it as long as it is done with respect and without political exaltation."
Image 1: Wikimedia Commons
Image 2: Turismo Alicante
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