Dawn

Dawn

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Pontevedra Pensées: 20.9.16

Here's another extract from Richard Townsend's late 18th century take on Madrid society, focussing here on the extra-curricular activities of the clergy. There's some normal stuff below this:-

The principal lovers in the great cities are the canons of the cathedrals; but where the military reside, they take their choice, and leave the refuse for the church. In the country villages, the monks bear rule; at least within their limits, and even in the cities, they set up their pretensions. As for the parochial clergy, one thing is certain, that many of them have, families, and all are involved in the common censure. Even in the Asturias, my friend, the good bishop, auxiliary of Oviedo, a man of high principle, yet of great humanity, severe only to himself, but companionate to others, made
it a rule, that none of his curates must have children in their families.

This sacrifice, at least, he insisted they must make to decency. Beyond this he did not think it right to be too rigid in his enquiries. In short, during my residence in Spain, I never found one person inclined to vindicate the curates from the common charge but, at the same time, all, with united voices, bore testimony to the superior virtue of the bishops. Indeed, these venerable men, from all that I could hear, and from what I saw in the near approach, to which they graciously admitted me, for purity, for piety, for zeal, can never be sufficiently admired; but too few of the clergy, either secular or regular, till they begin to look towards the mitre, seem to think it necessary, that they should imitate these bright examples, or aspire after such high perfections.

This universal depravity of morals, if I am not much mistaken, may be traced up to the celibacy of the clergy. It is true, the example of the court, since the accession of the present monarch, has given prevalence to practices which were before retrained, and made that honourable, which had been attended with disgrace ; but the effect must always, in a measure, have been coeval with its cause. Nay, must we be inclined to blame, in the first instance, the Italians, who are said to have brought this practice into Spain, we must be obliged at last to trace it up to this mistaken principle, that conjugal affection is inconsistent with the due discharge of the ministerial functions. In conversing freely with the clergy on this subject, I never met any one, besides the archbishop of Toledo, who attempted to vindicate this principle and, wherever I was, I had no difficulty in declaring war against it, because they do not confider it as an article of faith. The principle is absurd, yet upon it is founded the celibacy of the clergy, and from that, in my opinion, is derived the corruption of their morals.

It has been common for Protestants, who travel in a Catholic country, to inveigh against the clergy, and to laugh at the people, as priest-ridden: such abuse is exceedingly illiberal. The priests themselves are to be pitied; but the law which binds them, the cruel law which requires, that they must offer violence to nature, or, more properly, the power which can abrogate that law, must bear the blame.

The purpose of the law is however frustrated for nature is like a rapid river, which, checked in its progress, scorns restraint, and, when diverted from its proper course, either overflows the country, or forms new channels for itself. What then is gained? The parochial clergy, and these are the only clergy who mould be suffered in a state, have their connections and their children, but not as they ought, in the most honourable way. They are disgraced in the eyes of the people, who are taught by their example to live in the violation of the laws and their children, for want of a proper education, are fitted only for the vilest employments in the community.

How different is the picture, where marriage is allowed. The minister is like the father of his parish, and his wife performs the office of a mother; both set an example of virtue, and in every village teach the peasants how to value their domestic comfort. In the street, their children, commonly a numerous offspring, are distinguished by their look of health, by their cleanliness, and by the decency of their conduct; and, when sent out into the world, they form the most valuable members of society.

Should the Spanish government resolve to set the clergy free, more ample provision must be made for their maintenance, because at present it is scarcely sufficient for their own support ; and this might be easily accomplished out of the vast revenues of the bishops, or by the suppression of some useless convents.

SPANISH SOCIETY

Solidarity: Nice to see the Browlee brother buggering up his own chances of a gold medal by helping his collapsing brother across the finishing line of an international triathlon race. But odd to see the Spanish athletics association demanding that one or both of them be disqualified. After all, the Spanish guy took the gold medal and the Spanish media loves the word solidarity. But, then, it does usually mean an insistence that EU subventions must be started, maintained or increased. In line with the fundamental principle in this fun-loving country that it's always best to live at someone else's expense – be it it your parents or your children. Or the state, of course.

Ethics: Another telling incident.

Corruption: She wages of sin? The PP may have kicked out the Valencian politician accused of decades of corruption but, as she's clinging to her seat in the senate, her income has actually risen significantly as a result. Confused? Click here for the explanation.

THE EU

Below is a review from The Local on Spain's 30 years as a member of this. I would only quarrel with bits of it. Affection for Brussels has reduced over the last decade – for obvious reasons – but a lot of cash still comes this way and the suggestion of a Spexit would surely reduce everyone here to tears of laughter.

ELSEWHERE

More Daft Advertising puffs:
  • Lawyers: Your Case is our Cause. Translation: Your case is our profit.
On the other hand, there's a very clever Unicef ad aimed at my generation. It stresses that we had it all, and that it's time to give something back. I almost responded.

DOMESTIC STUFF

A Fantastic Spanish Weekend: Without planning, my 2 lovely neighbours requested a curry lesson and came round at 12 on Sunday for this. And then talked without stopping until 2. Simultaneously, of course. During the lesson, I had to introduce the lovely, ever-worrying, ever solicitous Ester to the English phrase: Teaching your grandmother to suck eggs. The lovely Amparo was highly amused. But tried to hide it. This pleasure followed on from a visit on Saturday evening to the inauguration of a new Galician beer, NASA, at the invitation of my most Galician friend, Fran. Who blamed launch delays on 'the fucking Spanish'. Quite.

MISC

Did you know that the sooty tern can fly up to 4 years without landing?

THE GALLERY

More examples of Finnish/British nightmares:





ARTICLES

From The Local:

Spain reflects on 30 years in the EU: From poverty to prosperity, Brussels put up the cash and Spaniards brought the ideas

SPAIN would normally have been celebrating its 30th anniversary as a member of the European Union in 2016, but a sombre note hangs over this landmark year as the country reflects on issues threatening the 'club', including the Brexit vote and increasing anti-EU sentiments in France, The Netherlands and elsewhere. One-time vice-president of the European Commission, Spaniard Manuel Marín - who helped convince the other then member States to allow his native country to join - said he was one of the student diplomats at the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium, in 1973.

They were taken on day one to a ceremony housing the bodies of those who perished in the second World War, and reminded that this was the very reason the European Union existed.

Now, though, Spain is reflecting on a mixed history as a member State - austerity measures imposed by Brussels in light of national debts have caused hardship in Spain, and the country has narrowly escaped being fined for its continued, consistent failure to meet deficit targets.

And the lucrative trade agreement and political community has been shaken to the core by the Brexit vote, and the rising of the far right in some member States.

Bureaucracy, and very high expenses for MEPs and Commissioners, have come into question throughout, although most member States believe this can only be influenced by those who have a seat at the table - that is, each of the national leaders who make up the Council of Europe.
De Gaulle in 1944: “Spain can join when they get rid of Franco”

Three decades ago, joining the then European Economic Community (EEC), which would become the EU, was the launch-pad Spain needed to repair itself - it was still a very poor country with levels of illiteracy far higher than in any other civilised, western country, and had only known democracy for a decade after having been under a dictatorship spanning more than 40 years.

But the country's morale was given a sharp upwards push as its social and economic conditions went from strength to strength, achieving a drastic transformation in a relatively short time.

Of course, nowadays, the EU is a far cry from that which was designed by Altiero Spinelli, an Italian reporter exiled to Venice island after challenging the iron-fisted reign of Franco's ally, Benito Mussolini.

Spinelli wrote an open letter calling for a federal, united, but free Europe, in response to the mass killings he witnessed during the height of World War II - and this letter would form the basis to the European Coal and Steel Community, later to become the EEC and then the EU.

He wanted to see Europe becoming a 'united international force', ending nationalism and totalitarianism in individual States and protecting human rights, as a way of preventing a possible future World War III - given that the 1939-1945 conflict had left the equivalent of today's entire UK population dead in just six years.

Spinelli's idea was supported by the French Resistance, since president Charles de Gaulle and prominent diplomat Pierre Mendès France had decided to try to set up a 'European union' of France, Belgium, The Netherlands and Italy.

They said Spain would be asked to join them 'once they had got rid of Franco'.

It would take another 30 years, however, before Spain 'got rid of' its dictator, which only really happened when he died.

‘Repairing Spain’

Back in Franco's time, the European Union as it was then was symbolic of freedom from censorship and social and professional liberty - in fact, ex-European Parliamentary speaker José María Gil Robles says Spain used to be 'quite jealous of' students in universities elsewhere on the continent who were able to live as they wished and voice their opinions without reprisal.

And although polls seem to hint that a third of left-wing voters believe the EU has harmed Spain in recent years more than it has benefited the country, the idea of a 'Spexit' remains unthinkable.
Spain has enjoyed EU funding allowing it to improve its infrastructure, and the country firmly believes the responsibility for the smooth running of the EU lies with each and every member State - meaning if any one of the current 28 is unhappy with the way it is working, they must take part of the blame for it.

And the country recalls that the usefulness or otherwise of the EU to a country is dependent upon what each country - Spain included - contributes; not just financially, but in terms of ideas.
From a poor farming nation to a thriving western State.

Back in 1986, when Spain became a fully-paid-up member, two-thirds of workers were in the agricultural sector, and had no Social Security provisions, meaning no State pension or sick pay.
Rural dwellers often had no electricity or running water, relying on wells; just 10 years previously, its black-and-white TVs only had one, State-controlled channel which lauded Franco in every programme, and by the time of its EU entry, still only had two channels.

Roads were potholed, cracked, dangerous and often missing - motorways did not start to appear until the 1980s or 1990s - and its GDP was less than half the EU average.

The difference in 30 years is palpable: mobile phone and internet signals are available everywhere in the country, with 4G and fibreoptic beginning to roll out in more developed areas; exports have increased by 800% since 1986, State pensions provide a liveable wage, laws covering human rights and equality including same-sex marriage and adoption and protection for domestic violence victims are set in stone, and Spain's largest companies have a top international presence - in fact, the chairman of Inditex, the country's biggest clothing chain, is the richest man in Europe.

And 14,000 kilometres of major highways today are a far cry from the 483 kilometres of 1986 - and whilst its [unnecessary?]2,500 kilometres of fast rail links remain insufficient to connect the country's most populous areas, the quality of trains and efficient level of service are among the best in Europe. Much of this growth has been through EU grants totalling billions, invested in [unnecessary]airports, roads, trains, banking, industry, arts and culture, healthcare and social programmes - and Spain is set to receive another €45 billion between now and the year 2020.

The amount Spain receives from the EU has been curtailed somewhat due to less well-off countries from the east joining the Union, but the financial benefits Spain gets in return for its membership fee of 1.24% of its GDP remain very high.

José María Gil Robles describes the EU as the 'vitamin pill' that put Spain on the fast track to becoming a modern western country, and the returns have been worth it for Europe, since most regions are becoming net contributors rather than net beneficiaries, with the exception of Andalucía, Extremadura and the Spanish-owned city-province of Melilla on the northern Moroccan coast, where the GDP is less than three-quarters of the average for Europe.

Even life expectancy has soared in Spain as a result of the EU's stimulation - from just 76.4 three decades ago, it is now one of the highest in the world at 83.2 years, or over 85 for women.
Life-changing ideas, hard bargaining and top negotiating skills.

Although Spain signed the treaty to join the EU on June 12, 1985 - 31 years and 11 days before the Brexit vote - its membership was not complete until January 1, 1986.

Spain was, predictably, vociferous and rebellious as a member, but could never have been accused of not fighting its people's corner or pushing for change - tugs of war and heated debates going on until the small hours bore fruit all round, and although Spain initially resisted some of the changes imposed on them - fearing they would destroy the country - many of these, such as the industrial reform, turned out for the best.

The then socialist president Felipe González said he was 'terrified' when he got the orders to 'either get rid of or completely rehash' an industrial sector Brussels had told him baldly was 'completely out of date', but admits that without it, Spain would not have the thriving motor export industry it does now, with Europe's largest Ford plant based just south of Valencia, in Almussafes, along with sizeable plants manufacturing other makes.

González says the fact Spain has more green-belt nature reserves under special protection orders than anywhere else on the continent is largely through the EU's iron fist - and funding.After all, before the Berlin Wall came down, Spain was the country which took the most cash out of the EU for infrastructure and the second-most for agriculture.

But Spain's own contribution to the EU has always been hugely valued - even if it has not always been in financial terms, the 'hope', 'strongly pro-Europe view', 'momentum', 'dedication' and 'highly-qualified, hard-working civil servants' were, from the beginning, what gained Spaniards the nickname of the 'Prussians of the South'.

Also, Spain opened the Latin American trading market to the EU, thanks to its own cultural, historic and linguistic ties.

Everyone who benefits from EU citizenship, from being able to vote in European Parliamentary elections, and the human rights charter has Spain to thank, since it came up with the ideas and worked with France to push Germany into agreeing - and the so-called 'Spanish model for immigration' has been hailed as a blueprint, especially given the country's wildly cosmopolitan nature with over 140 nationalities living side by side in harmony and considered 'just another citizen' by the native population.

One-time Commissioner Joaquín Almúnia cites all this, but admits that these days, Spain's 'contribution' to Europe includes an 'unacceptably-high level of unemployment', and that politicians have become gradually more distant from the EU because Spain is 'too busy navel-gazing'. And the College of Europe alumnus Manuel Marín feels it is Spain who has lost its way in the EU rather than the other way around - once the hard negotiators known for their bargaining prowess, they are now being likened to cash-stricken, debt-ridden Greece, which is 'disastrous', Marín admits.
Spain is ‘losing its interest and influence’ in EU

Once, Spain offered Europe the 'wisdom of an old nation' and the 'energy of a new nation', in the words of president Felipe González, but now, González himself feels Spain has lost its influence and is 'bringing nothing of real value' to the EU.

Germany appears to be the main driver, but largely because 'not many countries want the job' - and, as a result, Spain and other EU nations are relying far too heavily on the Germans to come up with the solutions, the former PSOE leader reflects.

"We need fresh dedication from nations who really believe in Europe to prevent the Eurosceptics and nationalists from eroding it and letting their inflated egos get in the way - and clearer leadership and greater democracy is necessary," González considers.

He says Spain's slow emergence from its financial crisis years is 'inefficient' and 'painful, socially', but that Europe as a whole needs solid security and foreign affairs procedures in place to solve the refugee situation - as well as a drive to get back to the EU's one-time strategies that aimed to squash growing social and financial inequality among citizens caused by an increasingly-global economy and political panorama.

The general consensus in Spain is that Europe is 'part of the solution' rather than 'part of the problem', and that it is Spain's job as a member to contribute towards the changes it wants to see.

Whilst the Brexit vote has left the rest of the EU reeling and given a surge of self-confidence to the far right and Europhobes, there is a growing sense in Spain that if the UK genuinely does not feel part of Europe and does not believe in the unity and teamwork of its nations, it may be better all round if it did, in fact, break away.

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