Daniel Palau: "We cannot accept simplistic approaches to immigration"

BarcelonaMore than a year after his appointment as bishop of Lleida, Daniel Palau, who is also the head of the media secretariat of the Tarraconense Episcopal Conference, speaks to ARA.

What has been the impact of the Pope's visit?

— It has been very encouraging to reconsider the entire dimension of dialogue with the contemporary world. We have been able to see how, after a year of pontification, a new world leadership is being shaped, and that what it proposes is down-to-earth and helps us all to keep moving forward.

What is the main message it leaves?

— I'll stick with what refers to the importance of the dignity of human life. He wanted to emphasize that every person, wherever they come from, whatever their history, has dignity.

One of the layers of dignity that has been cited the most has been immigration. What do you think about the criticism of the EU, which has approved the immigration pact?

— The Pope spoke to all of Europe. All those who leave their countries are lives that must be welcomed, respected. We cannot bargain with anyone's life or enslave any person. We cannot forget that many of our young people have also had to cross borders. All the policies and pastoral actions that must be carried out are to welcome, dignify, respect, and perform this miracle of integration. Integration asks of all of us a sublime exercise of humility and conviction that in this country it is possible to live as brothers.

What do you feel when there are parties like Vox and Aliança Catalana that defend the legacy of Christianity, but that on the issue of immigration are against the message of the Church?

— I don't know the position of some proposals from some groups, but I think that what Jesus invites us to above all is to be able to look each other in the eye and to be able to understand each other as brothers. It's not worth labeling ourselves without having entered into dialogue; some take advantage of these first impressions to convey other messages of considerable harshness and radicality.

The pontiff even said that one cannot kneel and pray and then deny the hand to the immigrant or not do acts of charity.

— It is what Jesus denounced, the great sin of hypocrisy, saying one thing and doing another. We cannot accept in any way that there are approaches that make us face life in categories of superior, inferior, good, bad, in a simplistic way.

Is there a resurgence of faith in some young people?

— Young people, lacking authenticity in certain proposals, seek this happiness and this desire to discover something authentic where we find someone who loves us without judging, like Jesus.

Is this increase in young people significant?

— With this I show myself a little more cautious. Perhaps it is only a flash in the pan, but I hope and believe that it will not be. But I need a little more time to be able to assess it.

The Pope also addressed pedophilia, with more than a thousand clergymen reported in Spain. Is this issue being addressed well? There are victims who have criticized the Pope.

— There is a firm will to listen, to welcome, to effectively investigate the truth of everything, to always stand by the victims and to repair and do justice, and to prevent. The Church has always had this vocation of service and for whatever has harmed and done wrong, it must ask for forgiveness.

Leo XIV has made important appointments of women in dicasteries [Vatican ministries]. Will we soon see a woman officiating Mass?

— Here the issue is not to officiate, this path is theologically limited and totally resolved by Pope John Paul II, but rather it is about all of us being co-responsible in the mission and aspiring to make the presence of women not a quota, but truly co-responsibility. Baptismal co-responsibility makes us all equal in our differences.

And the question of deacons [ordained who assist priests and bishops, without being priests]?

— The issue of the female diaconate is under study in the synod. But in no way will it represent a break in the gift of communion in the Church.

Is there a risk of breakage?

— There are many risks, but there are many more possibilities to continue growing as an ecclesial community.

During the Pope's visit to Catalonia, the issue of language was relevant. Did the Pope understand the Catalan national reality?

— The Pope has made an excellent effort and I don't think you can ask for more. From here to grasp the identity or idiosyncrasy of a people... In broad strokes, for sure.

The national reality is reflected in the document of the Catalan bishops Arrels Cristianes a Catalunya, from 1985. That is why I ask you if you have understood the national reality.

— Yes, surely yes, I don't doubt it.

You and other Catalan bishops defended the use of Catalan on the apostolic journey. What role did you play in making the Holy See understand this reality?

— We expressed a thought, and among brothers, everything possible is always done to find a way in which we all feel included. We have felt heard.

After this visit, there are key appointments to address, such as that of the Archbishop of Barcelona. When do you think it will happen? Is the motto We want Catalan bishops?

— I absolutely do not know the timing. We want holy bishops: if they are Catalan, then fine; and if they are holy, much better.

Let them speak Catalan, at least? For the moment they speak Catalan, but not all of them are Catalan.

— Language is important, obviously. But availability, delivery, is much more important.

One of the social problems is the housing crisis and, in fact, the Catalan Church signed an agreement with the Government to collaborate in the transfer of real estate. Is it working?

— We are very concerned that young people and families can have places where they can move forward with their lives. On our part, we have done everything in our hands, and we wish that everything will be as fluid and immediate as possible.

Returning to the linguistic issue, what is the Church doing for Catalan? There is also a rise in foreign priests.

— A language is not learned all at once, but we remain firm in the need and importance that our liturgical celebrations be in Catalan and that our vehicular language be Catalan. Therefore, we must have excellent pedagogical capacity and consolidate the firmness of being able to address God in Catalan.

Would a Catalan Episcopal Conference be desirable?

— The coordination between the dioceses of Catalonia we already have, but not in a legal way, and we are linked to the Spanish Episcopal Conference, where we are very well received and in a very significant process of pastoral work.

Doesn't he close the door?

— Structures cannot kill life, and right now what we want is that pastoral life does not get suffocated by more structures.