Catholic Church and Francoism: A Political Transformation

The Catholic Church in Francoist Spain

The Army was the essential support of the regime in its infancy, but no less decisive was the support of the Catholic Church. This alliance allowed what we could qualify as the "New Spain" to become the last theocratic state in Europe. From the beginning, the Catholic Church placed itself alongside the nationalist side and promoted anti-red propaganda. This support allowed Francisco Franco to behave as an absolute monarch, where he was seen as appointed by God; in fact, Franco assumed responsibility for his actions only before God and history.

National Catholicism and Social Control

Since the early years, the Catholic Church played a vital role in the construction of the Franco regime. They retrieved the budget for culture and seized control of education, ensuring the predominance of Christian values and morals throughout Spanish society. In addition, large, established national Catholic associations pressured the state, such as the National Catholic Association of Propagandists and Opus Dei.

The 1953 Concordat and the Cold War

During the period of international isolation, the regime brought in Opus Dei ministers to remain the face of the government. Between 1946 and 1950, despite political and economic isolation, the Cold War helped save Spain and made National Catholicism predominate. In 1953, Spain established a more direct relationship with the Church through the Concordat with the Vatican, which granted the state confessionality and a privileged status to the Catholic Church.

Economic Stabilization and Technocracy

With the arrival of new technocrat ministers, the Stabilization Plan began, allowing Spain to leave the autarky period that started after the Civil War. The economic measures taken were restrictive in nature to overcome the limitations of the previous period. The plan aimed to:

• Reduce inflation
• Liberalize foreign trade
• Achieve the economic convertibility of the Peseta
• Liberalize domestic activity

This opened Spain to neoliberalism, foreign investment, and the economic boom of the sixties. However, the increase in wages and costs eventually transformed into unemployment and mass emigration.

Renewal and the Path to Democratization

With the consolidation of an industrialized capitalist society, Spain finally saw a renewal within the Church. There was a growing distance from the regime and an approach toward social sectors that demanded democratization. In addition, critical attitudes were taken against the dictatorship, leading to dissent and public demonstrations.