Madrid, Spain, Oct 31, 2017 / 05:01 am
As the situation in Catalonia unfolds after the Spanish autonomous community declared independence, a move strongly opposed by the Spanish central government, local bishops are insisting on a peaceful resolution.
Cardinal Juan José Omella Omella of Barcelona, the Catalan capital, said Oct. 27 that "as shepherd of Barcelona" he loves Catalonia and shares "the people's pain and suffering," and that his heart "weeps with them."
Cardinal Omella was in Rome the day of the Catalan declaration of independence, and he asked God to "help us avoid confrontation and build a future in peace."
"After my two years in the Diocese of Barcelona, I can say that I deeply love Barcelona and Catalonia. They are marvelous people," the cardinal emphasized.