“We are a bastion of faith that loudly proclaims the value of the faith in the building of a country,” said Bishop Ramón Valdivia, Ceuta’s apostolic administrator.
The apostolic administrator of the Spanish Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta, Bishop Ramón Valdivia, analyzed the situation in Ceuta following the mass crossing of the Tarajal border by approximately 70,000 people last week.
“We are aware of the historic mission that Ceuta represents for our entire nation; we are a bastion of faith that loudly proclaims the value of the faith in the building of a country,” Valdivia said.
“That is why we wish to lift our gaze and see the Lord on our horizon — walking upon the waters of the Strait, approaching our boat, and saying to us: ‘Do not be afraid; it is I,’” he added in remarks released by the diocese in response to the numerous interview requests received in recent days.
Referring to the Ceuta’s patron saint festivities, Valdivia remarked that “centered around St. Mary of Africa, one can understand the faith of a people who have endured centuries of hardship” and that, following events like those of last week, “while it is true there is anger, fear, and at times even a desire to give up, we do not want to do so.”
“The presence of the Virgin Mary offers comfort, peace, and security in God and fosters compassion while simultaneously expressing faith in the God who, having become man, has conquered death. Offering this response entails responding with Godʼs love,” he added.
The Church has demonstrated its maturity amid an unprecedented crisis.”
Bishop Ramón Valdiviaapostolic administrator of the Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta in Spain
The prelate further indicated that “the Church has demonstrated its maturity amid an unprecedented crisis,” even as it continues to “view with concern these events that disturb our peace,” bearing in mind that “this is the second time [such an event has occurred] since the mass influx of May 2021.”
“We feel vulnerable and, in a sense, in need of protection,” added the bishop, who, drawing inspiration from St. Paulʼs Second Letter to the Corinthians, observed: “We are troubled, but not in despair. We trust in God above all.”
Valdivia further noted that the task for the near future involves “rebuilding trust, encouraging those who have suffered fear and anxiety, and working toward a dignified solution for those who entered illegally,” bearing in mind that “feelings very difficult to root out have taken hold in peopleʼs hearts, stemming from the need to care for others while simultaneously protecting the shared space.”
Gratitude to Pope Leo XIV
Meanwhile, the prelate welcomed the words of Pope Leo XIV regarding the crisis — spoken during the Angelus on Sunday, Aug. 2 — as “a balm of comfort, knowing that we are close to the popeʼs heart.”
Leo XIV expressed that he was following “the alarming situation in Ceuta” with concern and asked, through the intercession of Our Lady of Africa, that “solutions of peace, stability, and justice might be found.” These words, the prelate stated, “have helped guide our public mission amid this difficulty, fostering peace, stability, and justice.”
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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The CC bishops are endangering men, women, families and children with the bishops’ stance on legal and illegal immigration. See the horrible figures below. Maybe if the bishops had families to protect they might think differently….
https://rmx.news/article/imported-crime-foreigners-commit-500-more-rapes-than-spaniards-400-more-murders-according-to-new-study/
’Imported crime’ – Foreigners commit 500% more rapes than Spaniards, 400% more murders, according to new study
Spain has seen penetrative rape cases jump 143% in just 5 years
—A new study highlights the outsized role of foreigners in serious crimes in Spain, which has seen worrying growth in rapes, attempted murders, and other serious crimes in just the last five to six years. The CEU-CEFAS Demographic Observatory report, titled “Demography of Crime in Spain,” examines the evolution of crime across various demographic groups and geographical areas in the country, and the researchers are warning about “imported crime” due to mass immigration.
—The study highlights several trends concerning the involvement of foreigners in criminal activities.
Murder and rape
Some of the key findings indicate that foreigners, who make up 31 percent of Spain’s prison population, commit per capita 500 percent more rapes and 414 percent more murders than Spanish citizens. The highest rates are seen among Arabs and Latinos, with many of them hailing from countries in South America known for their extremely high crime rates.
While the murder numbers are stable in Spain at 300 per year, there has been explosive growth in attempted murders. Between 2019 and 2023, a matter of four years, attempted murder cases nearly doubled, going from 836 to 1,507.
In just five years, penetrative rape cases also soared 143 percent, going from 2,2143 in 2019 to 5,206 in 2024.
As Remix News has reported on in the past, in many Spanish states, the crime statistics show massive overrepresentation of foreigners in serious crimes like sexual assault, including in the Basque region.
Illegal occupation
Spain is also dealing with a serious crisis involving illegal property occupation, with 170,000 cases recorded between 2010 and 2024. Of those arrested, 51.8 percent were foreigners, which is 610 percent more than Spaniards.
Robbery with violence
In cases of robbery with violence, foreigners are 440 percent more likely to commit such a crime. Many such cases have made headlines in the Spanish media.
Crime should be decreasing
The study heads indicate that Spain’s aging population should have led to a decrease in crime rates, but the influx of migrants, amounting to 3.8 million per decade, has led to an “imported crime” problem.
Spain: 64% of those arrested for crimes in Basque region are foreigners, including 68% of sexual assaults and robberies
The Ertzaintza, the autonomous police force of Spain’s Basque Country, has published its first report ever on the origin of detainees, with the data showing that 64 percent are foreigners, despite foreigners only making up approximately 14.1 percent of the population.
Rapists in Spain’s Catalonia are almost entirely foreigners 91% of convicted rapists in Spain’s Catalonia region are migrants They make up only 17% of the region’s population Spain has seen crime rise each year in tandem with growing migration numbers Show more
In Barcelona, North African migrants were caught on camera trying to bundle an 11-year-old girl into a car while she was on the way to the shop opposite her home. Her mother speaks out, “She burst into the house in tears, trembling. That night, she couldn’t sleep or eat. It was horrible.”
The CC bishops are endangering men, women, families and children with the bishops’ stance on legal and illegal immigration. See the horrible figures for Spain. Maybe if the biships had wives, family and children to protect they might think differently. Maybe.
https://rmx.news/article/imported-crime-foreigners-commit-500-more-rapes-than-spaniards-400-more-murders-according-to-new-study/
’Imported crime’ – Foreigners commit 500% more rapes than Spaniards, 400% more murders, according to new study
Spain has seen penetrative rape cases jump 143% in just 5 years
—A new study highlights the outsized role of foreigners in serious crimes in Spain, which has seen worrying growth in rapes, attempted murders, and other serious crimes in just the last five to six years. The CEU-CEFAS Demographic Observatory report, titled “Demography of Crime in Spain,” examines the evolution of crime across various demographic groups and geographical areas in the country, and the researchers are warning about “imported crime” due to mass immigration.
—The study highlights several trends concerning the involvement of foreigners in criminal activities.
Murder and rape
Some of the key findings indicate that foreigners, who make up 31 percent of Spain’s prison population, commit per capita 500 percent more rapes and 414 percent more murders than Spanish citizens. The highest rates are seen among Arabs and Latinos, with many of them hailing from countries in South America known for their extremely high crime rates.
While the murder numbers are stable in Spain at 300 per year, there has been explosive growth in attempted murders. Between 2019 and 2023, a matter of four years, attempted murder cases nearly doubled, going from 836 to 1,507.
In just five years, penetrative rape cases also soared 143 percent, going from 2,2143 in 2019 to 5,206 in 2024.
As Remix News has reported on in the past, in many Spanish states, the crime statistics show massive overrepresentation of foreigners in serious crimes like sexual assault, including in the Basque region.
Illegal occupation
Spain is also dealing with a serious crisis involving illegal property occupation, with 170,000 cases recorded between 2010 and 2024. Of those arrested, 51.8 percent were foreigners, which is 610 percent more than Spaniards.
Robbery with violence
In cases of robbery with violence, foreigners are 440 percent more likely to commit such a crime. Many such cases have made headlines in the Spanish media.
Crime should be decreasing
The study heads indicate that Spain’s aging population should have led to a decrease in crime rates, but the influx of migrants, amounting to 3.8 million per decade, has led to an “imported crime” problem.
Spain: 64% of those arrested for crimes in Basque region are foreigners, including 68% of sexual assaults and robberies
The Ertzaintza, the autonomous police force of Spain’s Basque Country, has published its first report ever on the origin of detainees, with the data showing that 64 percent are foreigners, despite foreigners only making up approximately 14.1 percent of the population.
Rapists in Spain’s Catalonia are almost entirely foreigners 91% of convicted rapists in Spain’s Catalonia region are migrants They make up only 17% of the region’s population Spain has seen crime rise each year in tandem with growing migration numbers Show more
In Barcelona, North African migrants were caught on camera trying to bundle an 11-year-old girl into a car while she was on the way to the shop opposite her home. Her mother speaks out, “She burst into the house in tears, trembling. That night, she couldn’t sleep or eat. It was horrible.”
Re bishop’s statement – Huh?
Friends of ours from England asked us if were giving any thought to traveling to Europe this year (we’ve been many times). We didn’t have the heart to tell them that our “Europe days” are over because Europe is no longer part of Wester culture. They have voluntarily surrendered their patrimony and have allowed islamists to invade and overtake the culture. It’s as if Charles Martel never existed.
Instead, our friends from England will be visiting us here in the USA.
Spanish town of Ceuta Struggles to Protect Migrant Girls as Hordes of Men Abuse Them on the Streets
https://www.breitbart.com/africa/2026/08/07/ceuta-struggles-to-protect-migrant-girls-as-hordes-of-men-abuse-them-on-the-streets/
‘Enough’ — Ceuta’s Religious Communities Demand End to Migrant Invasions
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2026/08/07/enough-ceutas-religious-communities-demand-action-to-stop-migrant-invasions/
Why don’t these religious communities follow the teachings of the CC bishops and the Pope? They show no compassion and seem to refuse to engage in dialogue. Bad behavior by some migrants is due to lack of education. The Spanish government should educate them. And all this is motivated by poverty. The government should provide them with housing, food and means of transportation, like we do in the U.S.
The Catholic Thing, Aug. 9.