The decision of the Spanish Military Archbishopric to refuse permission for the funeral of former Guardia Civil officer Antonio Tejero Molina to be held at Madrid’s Armed Forces Cathedral has prompted controversy in Spain.
Archbishop Juan Antonio Aznárez Cobo, who serves as Military Ordinary of Spain, explained the reasoning behind his decision in a formal note released by the Military Archbishopric on March 5.
The statement emphasised that the request to celebrate the funeral in the cathedral had not followed the usual channels within the military diocese. “The request for the celebration of Don Antonio’s funeral on March 25 in the Castrense Cathedral was not consulted with its Rector nor with the Archbishopric,” the statement said, adding that the archbishop had subsequently met personally with a member of the family to address the situation and discuss possible alternatives.
