The Minister of Defense Margarita Robles responds to Archbishop Argüello's statements with forcefulness: "It is totally unacceptable"

The president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE) and archbishop of Valladolid, Luis Argüello, stated yesterday Thursday, criticizing the Government that: "When a State forgets ethics, it becomes a band of thieves. I refer to the evidence.” The reference he makes to a band of thieves comes from a quote by Saint Augustine that Benedict XVI popularized in one of his speeches. Continuing, the archbishop later highlighted that the lack of ethics does not only affect the political ruling class but all those who commit “tricks” in matters such as income tax declarations or those who choose to pay “in black”, without accruing the corresponding VAT. “Because ethical references are for everyone and, if there is no people with an ethical reference, how are you going to demand it from whoever is your representative?”, Argüello concluded.

These words were answered today Friday by the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles. She pointed out that his words are far from the discourse of Pope Leo XIV during his visit to our country last June, and has asked Luis Argüello to apologize. "It is absolutely unacceptable; I believe it is totally contrary to the very message the Pope delivered. It seems to me that the Catholic Church has an enormous responsibility and I hope he apologizes appropriately," she remarked. The minister also defended that the members of the Government, and the officials who work for the State are "ethical" people. "Neither Mr. Argüello is going to give lessons to any of us. Mr. Trump does not have to give us lessons on what defense and our commitments are, nor does Mr. Argüello or anyone have to give us commitments on ethics. Evangelical doctrine would be good, and he should look at himself first."

The archbishop also touched on the topic of LGTBIQ+ pride, referring to the collective as "a sin of Satan". Robles also responded to this: "It neither corresponds to reality nor is it an insult; not only to the government, not only to officials, but to all people who exercise their right to freedom to do what they consider with their body, with their thoughts, without harming anyone. These words are not only unjust, but they entail an enormous discredit to the Catholic Church," she commented.

Robles has not been the only one to respond to Argüello's words; Félix Bolaños, Minister of the Presidency, Justice, and Relations with the Cortes, has also spoken out through a letter. He describes the "reasoning" as "unjust" and "deeply counterproductive." "Allow me to ask you a question. What would you think if a member of the Government described the entire Church as a band of sexual aggressors, I refer to the evidence?", the minister replied. The letter continued by adding: "Evidently, it would be false and deeply unjust, and I have never fallen into a disqualification of that caliber."

Therefore, he has invited the president of the bishops to ensure that relations between both parties are marked by "moderation, respect, and justice" instead of "exaggeration and partisanship in favor of right-wing and far-right forces." And finally, the minister has expressed his conviction that his words "may inspire" Argüello as president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference to "reorient his public statements" and make them "more respectful of society as a whole and its public representatives."