The Prosecutor’s Office investigates the words of the Bishop of Tenerife, Bernardo Álvarez, about homosexuality as a possible hate crime. The Public Prosecutor’s Office has initiated proceedings to study whether the statements made by the person in charge of the Nivariense Diocese during a television interview constitute a crime, according to the superior prosecutor of the Canary Islands, Luis del Río, to Cadena Ser.
The bishop indicated during the interview that homosexuality could be considered a “mortal sin” and came to compare it to alcoholism. His words have provoked indignation and rejection among Canarian society, and even LGTBI groups They began both a collection of signatures to demand his resignation and the request for institutional motions for the disapproval of Álvarez.
For the moment, the Council of Tenerife has been the first public administration on the island that has joined this initiative and approved in its plenary session last Friday a motion of “outright condemnation” of the statements.
The popular reaction led Bernardo Álvarez himself to issue a statement of apology in which he apologized for his words, especially to the LGTB community, and expressed his respect.
Despite this, as Cadena Ser indicates, this situation has not prevented the Prosecutor’s Office has “taken action on the matter”. The opening of proceedings implies the possibility of taking a statement from the person in charge of the Nivariense Diocese and supposes an unprecedented act in the Archipelago.
