The administrative commission appointed by the papal representative and Archbishop of Burgos, Mario Iceta, in the dispute with the schismatic nuns of Belorado has no intention of harming the community economically.
This is clear from a statement issued on Thursday, as reported by the Spanish internet portal "Religion Digital".
"For our part, we continue to hold out our hand and have no intention whatsoever of imposing economic conditions on the community," it says.
The nuns have already been asked several times to provide the amounts they need for the usual expenses of daily life.
So far, according to Iceta, they have not done so. They are also hoping for a gesture from the community that will make a path of dialogue possible.
Previously, the nuns had criticised the Pope's representative in a post on the Instagram platform for the fact that they have not had access to several bank accounts for days. This makes it difficult for the nuns to earn a living and pay the salaries of their employees. They are no longer able to support themselves financially, they say.
The nuns also complained of "journalistic harassment" and the throwing of fireworks at the convent at dawn. This has prompted them to hire a private security service to ensure their physical safety and honour their cultural heritage as much as possible.
As the Pope's representative Iceta has a duty by virtue of his office to look after the nuns living in the convent, in particular the elderly sisters and the staff employed, the corresponding payments will be covered, the archbishop's statement said.
Current expenses of the community will be covered
Among other things, Iceta emphasised that, as the legal representative of the Belorado, Derio and Orduna convents, he is responsible for all matters relating to both canonical and civil matters. He also had to ensure the proper administration of finances and assets.
However, Iceta criticised the nuns for preventing him and his commission from fulfilling the tasks assigned to him by the Vatican. The keys to the convent had also not been handed over to him, as the nuns were legally required to do.
So far, according to Iceta, none of the convent employees have complained to the archbishopric.
They have been assured that they will continue to be paid for their work.
"We hope that the nuns, just as they have applied to hire a private security service, will also inform us of their specific needs to cover the community's running costs," said Iceta.
Likewise, they reject any lack of respect for the nuns and continue to hope that the community will make a gesture that enables dialogue, it concludes.
In mid-May, the abbess of the Poor Clares caused a scandal in a public statement when she renounced the church on behalf of all 16 nuns.
At the same timethey joined the schismatic Bishop de Rojaswho was excommunicated after an irregular episcopal consecration. The Order of Poor Clares in Spain and Portugalseparated from the Poor Clares.
One of the 16 sisters has already left because she did not agree with the abbess's decision.
The Archbishopric of Burgos finally asked the schismatic Bishop Pablo de Rojas and the unofficial spokesman and spiritual counsellor of the renegade nuns to leave the controversial convent.
They refused to comply.
The archbishopric threatened to take legal action.
The Vatican then appointed the Archbishop of Burgos, Mario Iceta, as the papal representative in the Belorado case.
So far, all attempts at dialogue with the schismatic Poor Clares, who had already announced that they would not respond to any of the demands made of them, have failed.
Once again they emphasised their break with the Catholic Church.