Crux

A Spanish bishop has said the recent images of evangelical pastors blessing Donald Trump and asking God for victory in the U.S.’s war with Iran was shameful, and that it is important not “to take God’s name in vain.” Speaking to Crux Now, Bishop José Ignacio Munilla of Orihuela-Alicante said that the Catholic Church in recent years is the Christian denomination that “unequivocally positions itself against war, proclaiming a message of peace and forgiveness.” “The difference in positioning between the Catholic Church and much of the evangelical churches is very significant. Something similar occurs with certain statements by some Orthodox churches regarding the war in Ukraine. Images of evangelical pastors blessing Trump and asking God for victory were shameful,” he said. “Likewise, it is clear that the Moscow Orthodox Patriarchate does not speak from evangelical criteria, but from Russian nationalism; and something similar happens with various Jewish and Islamic religious authorities, who openly support the positions of their respective governments,” he added. He went on to praise Pope Leo XIV’s statement on Palm Sunday that “God does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.” “It was necessary to pronounce that prophetic word so as not to take God’s name in vain,” Munilla said. Munilla, who is known in Spain for regular commentary on current affairs, also remarked on the ongoing public spat between Donald Trump and Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, saying both men have an unhealthy attachment to power that veers into addiction. “They appear to be contrasting personalities; however, both share the same problem: an attachment to power, sometimes taken to almost addictive levels,” he said. “In the case of Pedro Sánchez, we saw this when he was able to grant amnesty to convicted politicians in exchange for their votes to secure his investiture. In Trump’s case, it became evident in his reaction to electoral defeat, generating a major institutional crisis,” he added. The conflict between the two men began when Sánchez refused to allow Americans to use Spanish airspace or bases during the start of the Iran war, a refusal that Trump reacted angrily to by threatening economic retaliation. Public criticism from both sides followed, and yesterday, following the announcement of a ceasefire between Iran and the U.S., Sánchez said Spain won’t “applaud those who set the world on fire just because they then show up with a bucket.” The full interview with Munilla is below. Crux Now: In Spain, you are known for frequently commenting on current affairs. Why do you think it is important to do so as a bishop? Bishop Munilla: While it is true that my case may be somewhat unique—since I already had a radio program before being appointed bishop, and I have continued with it—I believe that shedding light on the present moment through the Social Doctrine of the Church is more necessary today than ever. To the extent that we are unable to discern sociopolitical reality in light of Catholic values, political ideologies will end up shaping the thinking of the faithful; and many of them, if not all, do not harmonize with Christian sensibility. Is there any trend in the news right now that particularly concerns you? Without a doubt, at this moment we are under the impact of war. I believe that the voice of Pope Leo XIV constitutes a clear light, not only on the international stage but also across religions as a whole. The difference in positioning between the Catholic Church and much of the evangelical churches is very significant. Something similar occurs with certain statements by some Orthodox churches regarding the war in Ukraine. Images of evangelical pastors blessing Trump and asking God for victory were shameful. Likewise, it is clear that the Moscow Orthodox Patriarchate does not speak from evangelical criteria, but from Russian nationalism; and something similar happens with various Jewish and Islamic religious authorities, who openly support the positions of their respective governments. In this context, the Catholic Church appears as the only one that, in a cohesive way, unequivocally positions itself against war, proclaiming a message of peace and forgiveness. The Pope’s words on Palm Sunday struck me as particularly powerful: “God does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.” It was necessary to pronounce that prophetic word so as not to take God’s name in vain. And is there anything that gives you hope? I believe that in the West we are beginning to perceive signs of a return to faith, especially among young people. It is becoming increasingly evident that materialism and hedonism do not satisfy the human heart. In fact, it is striking that well-being does not necessarily coincide with happiness. We have never reached the level of well-being we have today, and yet we have never witnessed so many mental health crises or so many suicide attempts. Facts confirm what Saint Augustine already said in the 5th century: “You have made us for yourself, Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” We are witnessing a notable increase in requests for baptism among young adults, in the demand for introductory retreats, in the spread of Christian music, and in the presence of influencers who publicly express their return to faith. What is your opinion on the disagreement between the Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Trump? They appear to be contrasting personalities; however, both share the same problem: an attachment to power, sometimes taken to almost addictive levels. In the case of Pedro Sánchez, we saw this when he was able to grant amnesty to convicted politicians in exchange for their votes to secure his investiture. In Trump’s case, it became evident in his reaction to electoral defeat, generating a major institutional crisis. Likewise, his way of exercising power with autarkic traits is noteworthy. Are you satisfied with the role Spain plays in international affairs? Unfortunately, we observe that positions in international politics depend largely on the political gain they may generate, rather than being grounded in ethical coherence. For example, the Spanish government has adopted a stance regarding the situation in Gaza and the violation of the rights of the Palestinian people that is very different from the one it has maintained toward the Sahrawi people, a former Spanish colony. Unlike the Palestinians, the Sahrawis have not achieved the same international media attention. However, the Spanish government has ultimately betrayed their rights through an agreement with Morocco that ignores United Nations resolutions, which recognize the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination. Regrettably, we do not act guided by ethical principles, but by calculations of political gain or loss in defending causes. Recently, the euthanasia of Noelia Castillo has made headlines around the world. What is your opinion on that case? This is a case that highlights the serious crisis of values in the new cultural order that is taking shape. The writer Juan Manuel de Prada expressed it very accurately in an article titled: “First we destroy your life and then we compassionately kill you.” It could hardly be said more clearly. It is deeply concerning that the response to suffering generated by a materialistic culture is suicide. Elevating it to the category of a right amounts to institutionalizing the defeat of the meaning of life; confusing compassion with surrender; and moving from alleviating suffering to eliminating the sufferer. Although euthanasia is presented as a free choice, in many cases it translates into subtle but persistent pressure on the most vulnerable to “choose” to disappear. In reality, death is not a right; the request for euthanasia can hardly be considered a fully free act; assistance in suicide is not a gesture of genuine empathy; and euthanasia is not a medical act, but the very negation of medicine itself. Bishop Munilla provides regular commentary on current affairs in English, which can be found here. His website can be found here.

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