Ceuta:The Catholic Church in Ceuta has called for prayer, unity and a renewed sense of trust following what the apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta described as a serious humanitarian and institutional crisis in the Spanish enclave.
Archbishop Ramón Valdivia addressed priests, religious communities and faithful across the diocese in a letter reflecting on the recent events in Ceuta. He said he needed more than a week to step back from the immediate situation and understand the full impact of what had happened, including developments that were not fully reflected in media reports.
Valdivia described the situation as one marked by suffering, fear and uncertainty. However, he also praised the people of Ceuta for remaining calm during a period of intense tension. He said their restraint helped prevent the situation from developing into a much larger conflict.
The apostolic administrator referred to the events as a humanitarian disaster linked to ambition, corruption and a lack of effective governance. He pointed to the difficult circumstances faced by young people who see little hope for their future, adults who may take advantage of weak institutions and minors who are placed in vulnerable situations.
At the same time, he acknowledged the fear felt by families and business owners in Ceuta as people entered homes and commercial premises during the crisis.
Valdivia said the combination of fear, anger and uncertainty could easily have resulted in a wider confrontation. Instead, he said, the calm response of many people in Ceuta helped prevent tensions from becoming even more serious.
In his letter, the archbishop also turned to faith as an important source of hope for the community. He highlighted the role of Santa María de África, the patron saint of Ceuta, describing her as a beacon for people facing difficult times.
The celebrations in honour of the patron saint have taken on particular importance following the recent crisis. A floral offering, solemn Mass and procession have provided opportunities for people to come together and pray for the city and its families.
On August 4, large numbers of people gathered at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Africa to place flowers before the Virgin. They also entrusted Ceuta and those affected by the recent events to her care.
Valdivia expressed gratitude to Pope Leo XIV, who spoke about Ceuta following the Angelus on August 2 and said that he carried the people of the city in his heart. The apostolic administrator also praised the work of priests, parishes, religious men and women, volunteers at Casa San Antonio and Caritas, as well as the Brotherhood of the Patron Saint.
According to Valdivia, the work of these groups has demonstrated that Christian communities can remain united even during periods of deep tension. He encouraged the wider diocese to continue supporting the people of Ceuta and to help the Christian community maintain its witness of faith.
The archbishop has also called for a prayer vigil in every parish of the Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta on the evening before the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A vigil will also take place at the Sanctuary of Santa María de África.
The prayer will seek peace, stability and justice for Ceuta. However, Valdivia said the purpose should go beyond simply asking for protection from further difficulties. He urged Christians to reflect on how they can grow in faith and find the wisdom needed to face the crisis together.
For the apostolic administrator, the events in Ceuta have exposed deeper changes taking place within society. He believes the crisis should not simply be treated as an episode that people must wait to pass.
Instead, he sees it as an opportunity for the community to reflect on the kind of society it wants to build and to begin a new cultural chapter based on trust, responsibility and solidarity.
Valdivia urged the faithful not to lose hope in the face of uncertainty. He called on the diocesan community to look beyond the immediate crisis and place its future in the hands of God.
He ended his appeal by inviting Christians to pray the Lord’s Prayer together, asking that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.