King of Spain faces backlash after asking St. James to help combat wildfires

King spain st. James wildfires

King of Spain faces backlash after asking St. James to help combat wildfires Frederic Legrand - COMEO/Shutterstock

 

The King of Spain has faced backlash online after asking St. James of Galicia to help combat the wildfires seen across the nation.

King Felipe VI of Spain made the comments asking for St. James’ help to combat widfires while visiting Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia, on Monday July 25.

Visiting for National Galicia Day, accompanied by Queen Letizia and their daughters, Princess Leonor and Princess Sofia, the King of Spain made the official “Offering to the Apostle”, his fourth time.

Felipe VI spoke of the “character” that Spain has as a nation, to overcome difficulties and move forward in relation to the current wildfires ravaging the country.

During his speech, he stressed “the complexity of the current situation”.

In addition to thanking St. James for his protection, he asked for his help, so that Spain “takes the right steps in this stage of the journey, which is not without obstacles” and that each Spaniard can, like a pilgrim, “overcome the adversities that arise” to reach their own personal Portico de la Gloria”,(the main gate of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.)

His comments caused backlash on social media, with many taking to Twitter to speak on the matter:

“I would buy fireproof suits, more protective equipment, more investment and more troops in case Felipe VI’s plan, for whatever reason, doesn’t work.”

Another user responded: “Asking the Apostle to put out the fires is the greatest evidence that not even God believes in this story. But it is still enough for the Church and the Monarchy to live off the story.”

Credit: Twitter @Antonperilon @tortondo

Another user wrote: “In the Royal Family, they are all Froilan (Grandson of the previous King of Spain)”

To which another tweeted: “Poor Firefighters ,instead of asking the grateful stomachs of their millionaire friends of him and his dad ,to pay more taxes and bring the money they hide in Tax Havens like good patriots,to help prevent these fires.”

Credit: Twitter @tortondo @BlaancaNiieves

One Twitter user wrote a list of historical Spanish Kings: 

“Hapsburgs”

“Competent kings: Charles I, Philip II and Charles II (despite Bourbon propaganda). Passable kings: Philip IV. Very bad kings: Philip III. % of kings best forgotten: 20%.”

“Bourbons”

“Competent kings: Louis I and Alfonso XII. Passable Kings: Ferdinand VI, Charles III and Juan Carlos I. Bad Kings: Philip V, Charles IV, Ferdinand VII, Isabella II, Alfonso XIII and Philip VI.”

“% of kings best forgotten: 55%.”

https://twitter.com/TheLordOfCharos/status/1551877714004549635

Credit: @TheLordOfCharos

Another Twitter user wrote:

“Felipe VI is Catholic and it was the Ofrenda de Santiago Apostol, patron of Spain according to the Catholic Church.  There are so many offended people around here  Faith is not incompatible with reality.”

“You can do anything .Long live Felipe VI!” 

Credit: Twitter @el54mac

The news of King Felipe VI of Spain asking St. James for help combating the wildfires follows reports of President Joe Biden reutilising his favourite joke when he greeted King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain on Tuesday June, 28.


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Written by

Joshua Manning

Originally from the UK, Joshua is based on the Costa Blanca and is a web reporter for the Euro Weekly News covering international and Spanish national news. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com.

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