The Roman Catholic Church is no stranger to scandal, but this latest discovery has left many in a renewed state of disbelief and disgust. Amidst accusations of child sexual abuse, and criticisms of their harmful position on contraceptives amoung other things, comes the revelation that the Church has aided in child –kidnapping in Spain. The BBC as released a Documentary that attempts to draw light on this tragedy. 

 

 

It is believed as much as 30,000 babies were forcibly taken from their natural parents and given to other parents through false pretenses.  Some estimates have this number at 300,000. The purpose of this illicit activity was to remove “children from parents deemed ‘undesirable’ and [place] them with 'approved' families.” The practice “began in the 1930s under the dictator General Francisco Franco.”

 

According to Katya Adler of the BBC:

At that time, the motivation may have been ideological. But years later, it seemed to change - babies began to be taken from parents considered morally - or economically - deficient. It became a money-spinner, too.

 

Naturally, the Catholic Church was closely involved with this disgrace.  The Church “assumed a prominent role in Spain's social services including hospitals, schools and children's homes” where they participated in the unthinkable: 

 

Nuns and priests compiled waiting lists of would-be adoptive parents, while doctors were said to have lied to mothers about the fate of their children.

 

One mother, Manoli Pagador, recounts what happened to her:  “Then, a nun, who was also a nurse, coldly informed me that my baby had died.” When asked why she did not think to question those in charge, she confesses: "Doctors, nuns? I couldn't accuse them of lying. This was Franco's Spain. A dictatorship. Even now we Spaniards tend not to question authority."

 

The Spanish Government is currently undergoing a flurry of criticism because of it’s “refusal to set up a national inquiry into the scandal.” The government’s inaction has led many citizens to look for answers themselves:

 

Babies' graves have been dug up across the country for DNA-testing. Some have revealed nothing but a pile of stones, while others have contained adult remains...Spaniards have flocked to clinics to take DNA tests in the hope of reuniting their families.

 

Be sure to keep an eye out for this new Documentary, and to take a stand against human rights violations wherever they occur.