Alicante Bishop's Remarks on Disability Stir Controversy in His Hometown

"Legacy of sin and disorder of nature." This is how Juan Antonio Reig Pla, the Alicante-born emeritus bishop of Alcalá de Henares, recently referred to disability. Such statements have sparked complaints from associations for people with disabilities and even from the Ministry of Social Rights, which has filed a complaint with the Prosecutor's Office for possible incitement to discrimination.

The discontent has also reached the bishop's hometown, Cocentaina, whose town hall has issued a stern statement. In response to the controversy, the town's Council of Social Services and Health has united to publicly reject his statements, expressing "disagreement with what was said about people with disabilities, as well as reaffirming their opposition to hate, discrimination, and violence in democracy."

According to Javi Sansalvador, Councillor for Social Services: "From the Cocentaina Town Hall, we will continue to fight firmly to defend the fundamental rights of people with disabilities. We must guarantee them and raise our voices when someone tries to violate them."

The councillor also added that "it is regrettable to witness such hateful attitudes in the 21st century. Fortunately, these words do not represent the majority of Cocentaina's citizens. We live in an advanced society that does not hesitate to unite and publicly condemn these attitudes against the most vulnerable groups."

According to the town council's statement, the decision was supported by all those present at the Social Services Council meeting, including the Cocentaina Neighbourhood Association, ACOVIFA, ASPROMÍN, Solc, Projecte Somriures, AMICO, AFAMA, the TEA-ASPERGER Font Roja Mariola Association, the 8th of March Collective, Somriu Ibi, as well as Compromís, PSOE, and Vox.