The former advisor to Pujol, whom the Pope has rewarded for saving the Church in Almería

BarcelonaThis week Pope Leo XIV has decided to award the medalPro Ecclesia et Pontifice Xavier Pomés (Barcelona, ​​1948), former Minister of Governance and the Interior in various governments of Jordi Pujol (1999-2002), has been honored for rescuing the finances of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Almería, which was on the verge of bankruptcy. He arrived there in 2022 on a complex mission that has proven entirely fruitful. The success of the president of the board of trustees of the Pere Tarrés Foundation has earned him the highest distinction awarded by the Holy Father, at the request of the Bishop of Almería, Antonio Gómez Cantero. The Vicar General of Almería, Ignacio López, explains in a conversation with ARA how Pomés pulled them out of the abyss with his position as diocesan treasurer: "He has done a spectacular job in a completely selfless manner; he has given us a huge respite," he maintains. And he adds that "he didn't charge a penny": "Just look at the level of generosity." In numerical terms, Pomés's time in Almería has been a blessing; he explains that they had a debt of 25 million euros and that now it's only 5 million – the annual budget was five million and is currently six million. The situation had spiraled out of control and they were drowning: "We were approaching 900,000 euros a year in interest payments alone. We were selling assets and couldn't keep up," he concludes. The main loan was with Banco Santander for 11 million euros. Pomés's plan was accompanied by a godsend: an anonymous donation of ten million euros from a businessman, which contributed to reducing the debt, which is now twenty million euros less.

But how did it come about? A few months after assuming the position of bishop, Gómez Cantero sought advice from the Spanish Episcopal Conference—then under the leadership of the Archbishop of Barcelona, ​​Joan Josep Omella—to rectify a catastrophic situation. At that time, he was advised to speak with Pomés, who had experience in critical situations, such as managing the Sant Joan de Déu hospitals in Latin America. Omella gave him his support, and the bishop jumped in headfirst.

Four years of work

During these four years, Pomés has frequently stayed at the episcopal residences, where his main contribution has been the refinancing of the debt: "He has traveled to Almería a lot, dedicated much of his time, making personal and family sacrifices, and met many people who have grown to appreciate him—from the clergy, the presbytery, and businesspeople." A "gratitude" for the one they call "gift Xavier,” who from the outset imposed “spending restraint on secondary matters” and a policy of “firm austerity.” “Unproductive assets” have also been sold and some leased out: for example, he promoted the sale of one of the two presbytery buildings, considering one sufficient, and everything has been centralized in the episcopal palace; but he has also sold houses, properties, plots of land, and even a school, in this case to the Marianist order. “He had a knack for putting things up for sale and negotiating very good prices,” the vicar recalls. The third line of action consisted of acting as a “cork” for the banks to “manage refinancing with lower interest rates.”

Pomés, a doctor by profession who also held high-ranking health positions in Artur Mas’s government, took on the mission that has culminated in the first award given to a Catalan by the current pontiff, who will arrive in Barcelona this June. The medal was instituted by Leo XIII in 1888 and serves to highlight the "faithful and relevant" service of clergy and laity to the Church.