Spanish Councilman Officiated Wedding Dressed as a Priest

Case information
Incident date
Country
Spain
Categories
  • Social Hostility / Intolerance
Attack Against
  • Faith
Perpetrator / Motive Indicators
  • Private
Societal Sphere
  • Governmental
Hate Crime & Violent Incidents
  • Insult or Incitement
Religious Freedom / Discrimination
  • Negative Stereotyping

Councilman Javier Botella of Levatemos El Puerto officiated at a wedding of his childhood friends in a priest costume. He was wearing an F.C. Barcelona scarf as a stole and a black cassock with golden edges. He posted a picture of himself and the newly married couple on Facebook and was immediately criticized for ridiculing the Church and the sacrament of marriage in his public capacity.

Javier Botella not only received criticism but also praise for his costume as the wedding was held during the Porto Carnival.

Sources