Archbishop Jesús Sanz Montes speaks at Spain's Senate

Archbishop Jesús Sanz Montes defended the right of Catholics to participate in public life during a forum at the Spanish Senate on October 19. Speaking at the second forum organized by the Enraizados Foundation, titled "What the Catholic Faith Contributes to Spain and Europe," the Archbishop of Oviedo addressed the role of God and religious values in society.

During a roundtable discussion, Sanz Montes responded to criticisms that he is a bishop who gets involved in politics. He stated that he engages in politics whenever possible, defining it as the ministry of bearing witness within the city. He clarified that he does not share partisan proposals but instead promotes values learned from God and the Church, such as truth, coexistence, and honesty. He noted that when he addresses lies, he does not mention specific names or political affiliations.

The Archbishop also spoke about the importance of God in creating a peaceful society and the necessity of protecting traditional concepts of family and friendship. He argued against an ideology that replaces meaningful social connections with solitary individualism. Sanz Montes rejected the idea that faith should be relegated to the private sphere, stating that he does not want religion to be clandestine.