Religion In Spain

If you take a closer look on the country where Christopher Columbus will forever be grateful for, it was established due to the resistance of Catholicism. Eventually, Protestantism, Judaism and Islam found its notch as a religion in Spain. When the Reconquest Period was over, the epoch where northern Hispania fought against the southern Moorish states, an Inquisition was created wherein the locals then were totally decided to annihilate the non- Christians.

By the 1830's, the Inquisition was disbanded albeit, Catholicism was still the major religion in Spain. It was in 1851 where the administration negotiated a Concordat with the Bishop of Rome, presently known as the Papal of the Church. There was an agreement that the capital of the country, Madrid, was responsible over the compensation of the clergy. Financially supporting other expenses for the monarchal possession's attack was also part of the negotiation. However, by 1931, all of the pacts were renounced.

When General Francisco Franco reigned, Catholicism one again enjoyed a lot of privileges. It was the only religion in Spain having a legitimate status. When other founded faiths would want their worship services to be made known, it was not permitted to be advertised. Not only did the Franco administration took charge of the priests' earnings, renovations of the church structures were also subsidized wherein the damages were brought about by the war.

It was also in General Francisco Franco's government where a law was passed in Congress to regard contraceptives and divorce as a taboo. Catholicism was such an influential religion in Spain where all instructions made were mandatory. Although, Franco also saw to it that Spaniards can be proclaimed as Roman Catholic Bishops. He also secured the authority over the nominations of the highest to the lowest rank of the religious.

Upon the revival of the monarchy, King Juan Carlos de Borbon, was no longer in favor of naming the Spaniards as Roman Catholic Bishops. In 1976, Madrid and Vatican endorsed another deal that the church should be the rightful body to christen a bishop. The Concordat was also modified where there was already a pecuniary bridge between the church and the state. Thus, any property not utilized for religious practices should be taxed.

Today, any person who will take a tour in the country will really feel the great impact made by the Catholic Church. It is evident through the museums and buildings as well as with the celebrations. Until now, Catholics dominate the entire nation where according to the 2005 statistics conducted by CIS, 79% are Catholics while only 19% are from other religions.