Spain’s Socialist government has reported a retired bishop to the State Prosecutor for remarks made during a sermon in Salamanca, accusing him of promoting an “unacceptable” message by referring to disability as a consequence of “sin” and the “disorder of nature.”
The May 11 sermon by Juan Antonio Reig Pla, Emeritus Bishop of Alcalá de Henares, affirmed Catholic teaching on human dignity, stating: “Children who are born with physical, intellectual, or mental disabilities… this is already an inheritance of sin and the disorder of nature. But they have been called by God and, like us, their existence is fully grounded in Him.”
While framed by the bishop as a message of love and inclusion, the Ministry of Social Rights, led by Pablo Bustinduy, has asked the Public Prosecutor to investigate the bishop under hate speech laws and filed a separate complaint with the national Ombudsman. The ministry’s disability office has also opened a case and requested that Spain’s Episcopal Conference explain how it will prevent similar comments in the future.
Officials condemned the remarks as “medieval” and “unacceptable in a democracy,” insisting that pulpits must promote human rights.
However, critics warn that the government is overreaching into matters of religious doctrine. The concept of original sin does not imply personal guilt for suffering, and Catholic teaching affirms the equal dignity and divine worth of every person, including those with disabilities.
