Vox Leader Abascal Clashes With Canary Islands Bishop Over Migrant Policy
Vox leader Santiago Abascal has publicly attacked the Bishop of the Canary Islands over the Church's support for migrant reception programs, deepening the political divide in Spain regarding the management of the archipelago's migration crisis.
Tensions between Spain’s Vox party and the Catholic Church have flared up again following comments from the Bishop of the Canary Islands, José Mazuelos, regarding the management of migrants arriving in the archipelago. Vox leader Santiago Abascal has publicly attacked the bishop, questioning the Church’s motives and suggesting that its support for migrant reception programs is driven by financial interests.
The conflict began when Bishop Mazuelos spoke out about the dangers of the Atlantic migration route. He urged the public to show empathy, highlighting the perilous journeys migrants take in small wooden boats and praising local residents and fishermen who have helped those in need. The bishop stressed that migrants should be treated as human beings rather than just statistics.
Abascal responded on social media, challenging the bishop to leave his residence and witness firsthand the impact he believes irregular migration has on public safety, taxpayers, and public services. This is not the first time Vox has clashed with the Church; the party has previously criticized various bishops for their stance on welcoming migrants.
Despite the political fallout, Bishop Mazuelos confirmed that Pope Francis is scheduled to meet with migrants during his visit to the islands on June 11 and 12. This visit highlights the diocese's commitment to social integration for those traveling one of the world’s deadliest maritime routes. The disagreement underscores the deep divide in Spanish society over how to handle the migration crisis in the Canary Islands, which serves as a critical southern border for the European Union.