Spanish Mayor Disguised Himself as Priest to Perform Civil Wedding

Case information
Incident date
Country
Spain
Place
Albacete
Categories
  • Social Hostility / Intolerance
Attack Against
  • Faith
Perpetrator / Motive Indicators
  • Political
  • Private
Hate Crime & Violent Incidents
  • Insult or Incitement
Religious Freedom / Discrimination
  • Other (text field)
Place of Incident
  • Other (text field)

The mayor of Ayna (Albacete), Emiliano Rodríguez, disguised himself as a priest to perform a civil wedding ceremony in the town of Castilla-La Mancha. He wore a cassock with a large cross hanging around his neck and carried a small book like a bible in his hands. While the socialist mayor claimed it was a private event not intended to offend anyone, the stunt was widely criticized. The parish priest of Albacete wrote on social media, "As a priest I protest vigorously. Please respect my faith." (Como sacerdote protesto enérgicamente. Por favor, respete mi Fe).