Row over Spanish flags at half-mast to mark death of Jesus Christ

Catalan Ombudsman says ritual "puts into question the secularism of the armed forces" and may be against the Constitution

Spanish flag flying at half-mast in a military building in Barcelona (by ACN)
Spanish flag flying at half-mast in a military building in Barcelona (by ACN) / ACN

ACN | Barcelona

March 31, 2018 05:28 PM

The Catalan Ombudsman is opening an investigation after the Spanish Ministry of Defense ordered all its buildings to fly flags at half-mast to mark the death of Jesus Christ. According to the Ombudsman, this goes against the Constitution, which describes Spain as a secular state. The decision even "puts into question the secularism of the armed forces."

The Ombudsman, Rafael Ribó, is asking the Spanish government delegation in Catalonia to intervene and urge the Ministry of Defense to stop this practice, that has been going on for years now. Ribó has also written to his Spanish counterpart, who has also complaint about this issue to the Spanish authorities. 

Flags are flying half-mast in all military buildings, as well as in the main delegation of the Spanish government and all its territorial headquarters. The Ombudsman argues that the ritual is Christian, and therefore goes against the secularism of the state, that should not show any preference for any particular religion.

The move comes as four Spanish ministers attended on Thursday a military procession with the Christ of the Good Death in Málaga, southern Spain. During the parade, ministers sang songs such as 'Grooms of the Death'.