A Spanish priest, Father Custodio Ballester, who was sentenced to three years in prison in 2016 for remarks against Islamic extremists, has now been acquitted. He expressed gratitude, saying, “I would like to thank God and the Christian community for their prayers and support during this time.” The ruling was made public on Friday.
Ballester, alongside another priest, Fr. Jesus Calvo, and journalist Armando Robles, had faced imprisonment over allegations of hate speech. The Malaga court determined that the necessary elements for a hate speech conviction were not present, stating that this was true regardless of how “vile” the comments might be.
Ballester noted that the prosecution was displeased with the verdict and might pursue an appeal. He remarked, “My judgment has caused significant anger in the public prosecutor’s office, as it essentially halts legal actions that infringe on freedom of expression.” He expects the case will be escalated to a higher court.
In 2016, Ballester had publicly declared the “impossible dialogue with Islam” in response to a letter from Cardinal Juan José Omera advocating for a necessary dialogue with Muslim communities. He felt compelled to speak out, highlighting the ongoing persecution of Christians in Islamic nations. “We cannot advocate for dialogue while our brothers are being persecuted or forced to pay jizya,” he remarked.
Ballester explained that a pro-Islamic group had lodged a complaint against him, prompting a lengthy investigation that he became aware of only in 2018. His response was one of calm determination. While acknowledging the complexities of free speech in Spain, he reaffirmed his commitment to truth as a priest, regardless of imposed ideologies.
If convicted, his “only wish” would have been to celebrate Mass within prison walls. He expressed growing concerns that the Spanish government aims to silence clergy and religious individuals who voice their opinions on contentious matters.
He criticized the misuse of hate crime laws in Spain, suggesting these laws have become tools for censorship rather than true justice. He pointed out a double standard in how crimes against Christian beliefs are categorized, while any criticism of Islam risks being labeled as hate speech.
Ballester sees his case as indicative of a broader cultural decline in Europe, where he believes Christian values are under threat. He contrasted this with the United States, which he feels still understands the significance of freedom. “In the U.S., freedom is something you must fight for daily,” he stated.
He warned that attempts to suppress religious and conservative viewpoints are part of a larger global trend that may also affect the United States.
