Spain
Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is a nation in Southern Europe, spanning approximately 505,990 km² on the Iberian Peninsula, bordered by France, Andorra, Portugal, and the Mediterranean Sea, with Atlantic coastlines.[1] With a population of about 47.8 million, its official language is Spanish, and its economy relies on tourism, manufacturing, and services. The Catholic Church, introduced in the 1st century, is the majority religion, with approximately 28.7 million Catholics (60% of the population), profoundly shaping cultural life through devotion to Our Lady of the Pillar, Saint James the Great, and Saint Teresa of Ávila.[2] Despite a secular constitution, the Church maintains significant influence in education, charity, and traditions, amid growing secularization.
Stored: Spain
| Country: Spain | |
| Historic: | No |
| Existence: | – |
| Continent: | Europe |
| Region: | Southern Europe |
| Historical Region: | |
| Area: | 505990 km² |
| Population: | 47800000 |
| Catholic Population: | 28700000 |
| Catholic Percentage: | 60% |
| Catholicism Status: | Majority religion, constitutionally secular |
| Official Languages: | Spanish |
| Capital: | Madrid |
| Catholicism Introduced: | 1st century |
| Ecclesiastical Provinces: | 14 |
| Dioceses: | 70 |
| Patron Saints: | Our Lady of the Pillar, Saint James the Great, Saint Teresa of Ávila |
| Predecessor States: | |
| Successor States: | |
Geography
Spain covers 505,990 km², including the mainland, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, and enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, featuring mountains, plains, and a varied climate from Mediterranean to Atlantic.[1] The capital, Madrid, and cities like Barcelona, Seville, and Santiago de Compostela host vibrant Catholic communities, with pilgrimage routes to the Camino de Santiago. The Pyrenees and Mediterranean coast support Catholic festivals.
History
Spain’s history spans Roman rule, Visigothic kingdoms, Muslim conquest (711–1492), Reconquista, global empire (15th–19th centuries), civil war (1936–1939), and modern democracy since 1975.[3] Catholicism, introduced in the 1st century, became central during the Reconquista and Spanish Inquisition. The Church faced challenges during secular republican periods but regained prominence under Franco. Key Catholic milestones include the establishment of the Archdiocese of Toledo in the 4th century and the canonization of Saint Ignatius of Loyola in 1622.
Demographics
Spain’s population of approximately 47.8 million is 85% ethnic Spanish, 10% other European, and 5% African, Latin American, or Asian.[1] About 28.7 million (60%) are Catholic, the dominant religion, followed by 27% non-religious, 3% Muslim, and 2% Protestant.[2][4] Catholicism is strong in rural areas and Andalusia, with secularism growing in Madrid and Barcelona.
Catholic church
The Catholic Church in Spain oversees 14 ecclesiastical provinces, 70 dioceses, and approximately 23,000 parishes, guided by the Spanish Episcopal Conference.[2] Cardinal Juan José Omella, Archbishop of Barcelona, leads major initiatives. The Church operates schools, hospitals, and charities, maintaining a significant presence despite declining attendance.
Structure
The Church’s 14 ecclesiastical provinces include:[2]
- Archdiocese of Barcelona (Barcelona, Catalonia): Suffragan dioceses: Diocese of Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Diocese of Terrassa.
- Archdiocese of Burgos (Burgos, Castile and León): Suffragan dioceses: Diocese of Bilbao, Diocese of Osma-Soria, Diocese of Palencia, Diocese of Vitoria.
- Archdiocese of Granada (Granada, Andalusia): Suffragan dioceses: Diocese of Almería, Diocese of Cartagena, Diocese of Guadix, Diocese of Jaén, Diocese of Málaga.
- Archdiocese of Madrid (Madrid): Suffragan dioceses: Diocese of Alcalá de Henares, Diocese of Getafe.
- Archdiocese of Mérida-Badajoz (Badajoz, Extremadura): Suffragan dioceses: Diocese of Coria-Cáceres, Diocese of Plasencia.
- Archdiocese of Oviedo (Oviedo, Asturias): Suffragan dioceses: Diocese of León, Diocese of Santander, Diocese of Astorga.
- Archdiocese of Pamplona and Tudela (Pamplona, Navarre): Suffragan dioceses: Diocese of Calahorra and La Calzada-Logroño, Diocese of Jaca, Diocese of San Sebastián.
- Archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela (Santiago de Compostela, Galicia): Suffragan dioceses: Diocese of Lugo, Diocese of Mondoñedo-Ferrol, Diocese of Ourense, Diocese of Tui-Vigo.
- Archdiocese of Seville (Seville, Andalusia): Suffragan dioceses: Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta, Diocese of Córdoba, Diocese of Huelva, Diocese of Jerez de la Frontera, Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Diocese of Canarias.
- Archdiocese of Tarragona (Tarragona, Catalonia): Suffragan dioceses: Diocese of Girona, Diocese of Lleida, Diocese of Solsona, Diocese of Tortosa, Diocese of Urgell, Diocese of Vic.
- Archdiocese of Toledo (Toledo, Castile-La Mancha): Suffragan dioceses: Diocese of Albacete, Diocese of Ciudad Real, Diocese of Cuenca, Diocese of Sigüenza-Guadalajara.
- Archdiocese of Valencia (Valencia): Suffragan dioceses: Diocese of Ibiza, Diocese of Mallorca, Diocese of Menorca, Diocese of Orihuela-Alicante, Diocese of Segorbe-Castellón.
- Archdiocese of Valladolid (Valladolid, Castile and León): Suffragan dioceses: Diocese of Ávila, Diocese of Ciudad Rodrigo, Diocese of Salamanca, Diocese of Segovia, Diocese of Zamora.
- Archdiocese of Zaragoza (Zaragoza, Aragon): Suffragan dioceses: Diocese of Barbastro-Monzón, Diocese of Huesca, Diocese of Tarazona, Diocese of Teruel and Albarracín.
Additional jurisdictions include the Military Ordinariate of Spain.
Introduction of Catholicism
Catholicism was introduced in the 1st century during Roman Hispania, with early Christian communities in Tarragona and Córdoba.[5] The Church’s influence grew under the Visigoths and solidified during the Reconquista (8th–15th centuries).
Key historical events
Significant Catholic events include the Christianization of Hispania (1st century), the Council of Toledo (589), the completion of the Reconquista (1492), the founding of the Jesuits by Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1540), the canonization of Saint Teresa of Ávila (1622), and Pope John Paul II’s visits (1982, 1989, 1993, 2003).[6][7] The Church shaped Spain’s colonial empire and Francoist regime (1939–1975).
Catholicism status
The Catholic Church in Spain is the majority religion, with 60% of the population identifying as Catholic, though the state is secular per the 1978 constitution.[1] The Church retains cultural influence, particularly in education and festivals, despite secular reforms like same-sex marriage (2005) and abortion liberalization (2010).
Administrative subdivisions
Spain is divided into 17 first-level administrative subdivisions called Autonomous Communities of Spain, plus two autonomous cities (Ceuta and Melilla).[1] Key communities include Andalusia, Catalonia, and Galicia. Dioceses often align with these regions, supporting Catholic activities.
Cultural influence
Festivals and traditions
Spanish Catholics celebrate Saint James the Great on July 25 with pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela.[8] Our Lady of the Pillar’s feast on October 12 draws crowds to Zaragoza. Holy Week in Seville, with its elaborate processions, is globally renowned.
Education and charity
The Church operates over 2,600 schools, including University of Deusto, and supports charities like Caritas Spain.[9] These efforts provide education and aid, focusing on migrants and the poor.
Art and architecture
Catholic heritage defines Spain’s culture, with the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, begun in 1882, showcasing modernist architecture.[10] Religious art, including works by El Greco, adorns cathedrals like Toledo Cathedral.
Notable Catholic sites
Pilgrimage sites
The Camino de Santiago, ending at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, attracts millions annually.[8] The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza is a major Marian shrine.
Historical churches
The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, built in the 12th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[10] Toledo Cathedral, completed in 1493, is a Gothic masterpiece.
Saints and blesseds
Patron saints
Our Lady of the Pillar, Saint James the Great, and Saint Teresa of Ávila, celebrated on October 12, July 25, and October 15, are Spain’s patrons.[5]
Associated saints and blesseds
Saints and blesseds include Saint James the Great, 1st-century apostle; Saint Teresa of Ávila, canonized in 1622; Saint Ignatius of Loyola, canonized in 1622; and Blessed Bartolomé Blanco, beatified in 2007, martyr of the Spanish Civil War.[6][11]
Dynamic list of saints
| Saint | SaintStage | FeastDay | Patronage | Attributes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blessed María de Jesús de Ágreda | Blessed | May 24 | Ágreda; mystics; New Mexico missions (informal) | Franciscan habit; book; bilocation |
| Pope Saint Damasus I | Saint | December 11 | Archaeologists | Papal tiara, pallium, episcopal vestments, book, inscription tablet |
| Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez | Saint | October 30 | Jesuit lay brothers; against scruples | Rosary; lily; book |
| Saint Anthony Mary Claret | Saint | October 24 | Catholic press; textile merchants; weavers; against natural disasters; Diocese of the Canary Islands | Mitre; book; rosary |
| Saint Christopher | Saint | July 25 | travelers; motorists; bachelors; against sudden death; storms; toothache | carrying Christ child on shoulders; staff; giant stature |
| Saint Cristopher of La Guardia | Folk Saint | September 25 | children; purity | child crowned with thorns; crucified |
| Saint Dominic of Silos | Saint | December 20 | Aragon; Castile; pregnant women; the unborn; captives; prisoners | Benedictine habit; chains (for prisoners); child in arms |
| Saint Eulalia of Mérida | Saint | December 10 | Mérida, Spain; against false accusations | Palm branch; scourge; torch; dove |
| Saint Eulalia of Mérida | Saint | December 10 | Mérida, Spain; against false witness; widows | Palm branch; scourge; torch; dove |
| Saint Ferdinand III of Castile | Saint | May 30 | Seville; engineers; prisoners; Spanish Army; Castile and León | crown; sword; globe; royal mantle |
| Saint Francis Borgia | Saint | September 30, October 3 (Jesuits) | Jesuits; against earthquakes; Portugal; Rota; Marianas | Skull crowned with an emperor's diadem |
| Saint Francis Xavier | Saint | December 03 | Missionaries; Africa; China; Goa; India; Japan; foreign missions; navigators; plague patients | Crucifix; lily; burning heart; globe; ship; Jesuit cassock |
| Saint Froilan of Leon | Saint | October 05 | Province of Lugo; Diocese of León | wolf at his side |
| Saint Gemma Galgani | Saint | April 11 | Pharmacists, students, tuberculosis patients, those suffering from back pain, headaches, loss of parents, parachutists, paratroopers | Stigmata, Passionist habit, lilies |
| Saint Ignatius of Loyola | Saint | July 31 | Jesuits; retreats; educators; military chaplains; against depression | book (Spiritual Exercises); soldier’s armor; chalice; dove |
| Saint Ildefonsus | Saint | January 23 | Toledo; Alcalá de Henares | bishop receiving chasuble from Mary |
| Saint John of the Cross | Saint | December 14 | Contemplatives; mystics; Spanish poets; against depression | Cross; book of poetry; Carmelite habit |
| Saint Serapion of Algiers | Saint | November 14 | against arthritis; Diocese of Azul, Argentina | X-shaped cross; dismembered body; Mercedarian habit; palm of martyrdom |
| Saint Teresa of Ávila | Saint | October 15 | Spain, headache sufferers, lace-makers, loss of parents, people in religious orders, sick people, Spain, headache suffers | book, arrow, Carmelite habit, dove, quill pen |
| Saint Thomas of Villanova | Saint | September 22 | poor; almsgivers; students | bishop distributing alms |
| Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo | Saint | March 23 | Peru; Latin American bishops; native rights; Scouts; Valladolid | archbishop with indigenous people; book of canon law |
| Saint Vincent of Saragossa | Saint | January 22 | vinedressers; vintners; brickmakers; sailors; Lisbon; Valencia | palm of martyrdom; gridiron; raven |
| Servant of God Clare Crockett | Servant of God | religious habit; guitar |
More dynamic lists
Dioceses
No results
Religious orders
This will be where the results a Cargo Query of the Religious orders table.
Lay organizations
This will be where the results a Cargo Query of the Lay organizations table.
Challenges to Catholicism
The Church faces secularization, with Catholic affiliation dropping from 71% in 2010 to 60% in 2020, driven by urban youth and non-religious growth (27%).[4] Clergy abuse scandals have prompted reforms, including transparency and victim support.[12] Religious diversity is increasing with Muslim (3%) and Protestant (2%) communities.
Social and political influence
The Church promotes Catholic Social Teaching through education, healthcare, and advocacy for social justice.[9] Its influence has waned politically due to secular reforms, but it remains a moral authority, particularly in rural areas, on issues like poverty and immigration.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Spain". CIA World Factbook. 2025-05-01. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/spain/.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Catholic Church in Spain". GCatholic.org. 2025-04-15. http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/ES.htm.
- ↑ "Spain". Encyclopedia.com. 2025-03-01. https://www.encyclopedia.com/places/spain-portugal-italy-greece-and-balkans/spanish-and-portuguese-political-geography/spain.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Barómetro de Abril 2023". Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas. 2023-04-30. https://www.cis.es/cis/export/sites/default/-Archivos/Marginales/3400_3419/3417/es3417mar.pdf.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Catholic Church in Spain". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. 2025-02-01. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/country/es.html.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Saint Teresa of Ávila". Vatican News. 1622-03-12. https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_16220312_avila_en.html.
- ↑ "Pope John Paul II in Spain". Vatican News. 1982-10-31. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/1982-10/pope-john-paul-spain-visit.html.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Spanish Catholic Traditions". Catholics & Cultures. 2025-03-10. https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/spain.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Caritas Spain". Caritas Internationalis. 2025-02-15. https://www.caritas.org/where-caritas-work/europe/spain/.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Sagrada Família". Wikipedia. 2025-04-20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagrada_Fam%C3%ADlia.
- ↑ "Blessed Bartolomé Blanco". Vatican News. 2007-10-28. https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20071028_blanco_en.html.
- ↑ "Spain Church Reforms". Catholic News Agency. 2025-04-10. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/spain-church-abuse-response.
External links
- [1]
- [2]
- "Spanish Episcopal Conference". Spanish Episcopal Conference. 2025-05-01. https://www.conferenciaepiscopal.es/.