News, August 2010

Spain celebrates 25 years' membership of the EU

12th June. Spain celebrates today 25 years since the signing of the treaty of Rome, on 12th June 1985. Felipe González, at that time president, has reminded us that joining the EU not only marked the end of the 'transition' from dictatorship to democracy, but was also the major step to reverse the isolationsim in which Spain had existed since Charles V split up his European empire in 1555. For evangelicals, the process of opening up Spain had begun earlier, but the will of Charles V effectively closed Spain to the pure gospel for 315 years.

From the moment Philip II took over the reins of power in Spain, the will of Charles V that no 'heretic' should be permitted in his kingdoms was ruthlessly imposed. The Spanish Inquisition, originally established as a government department by Charles' grandparents Ferdinand and Isabella, now became the tool to extinguish any religious expression which might be perceived as threatening the spiritual unity of the state and thereby the rule of the monarch. During the middle ages, the rulers of Spain were known as kings of the three religions (Christianity, Judaism and Islam). But once the last Islamic kingdom on the peninsula was taken in 1492, the rule of intolerance quickly spread.

European influence, during the time of the Renaissance and Reformation and particularly due to the interchange of civil servants under the rule of Charles V, meant that Spain was very much part of Europe during the first half of the 16th century. But Charles' troubles in Germany and the Netherlands convinced him that Protestantism was a major threat to his rule as Holy Roman Emperor. Thus very soon Philip undertook a total rooting-out of protestant cells in cities such as Valladolid and Seville, where many educated people had accepted the gospel. It was only a matter of time before all cultural expression was silenced and Spain became enclosed in ignorance and superstition.

During the 19th century various attempts were made to open Spain to new ideas. A liberal constitution was written in 1812, but king Ferdinand VII restored the inquisition until finally abolishing it in 1827. Freedom of religion was declared in 1869, but under Franco (1939-1975) intolerance again ruled. Churches had to go more or less under ground for a time, later being allowed to meet privately and from 1967 being officially 'tolerated'. But only the transition of 1975-85 saw final complete freedom for the personal and public holding and profession of faith.

Spain is currently holding the 6 monthly rotating presidency of the EU, but is also faced with a major recession and perhaps the worst problems since accession. Yet all politicians can affirm that it is a major privilege to have been given so much by wealthier nations to catch up and become more integrated. Now Spain accepts willingly, if nervously, its responsibility to support the economic growth of other EU members in eastern Europe, as well as Greece. However, with its household in considerable disorder, it is hard to see how it will be able to cope.