Seite 230 [230]
VIKTÓRIA SEMSEY
their gatherings became more difficult. The 1868 revolution was of a democratic
nature and aimed at removing Isabella II from the throne. With the return of
greater freedom exiled Protestants returned, and in 1869 religious freedom
was finally declared in the constitution, Protestant churches opened and many
communities re-established themselves. Francisco de Paula Ruet opened the
first Protestant church in Madrid. The Spanish Reformed Churches’ first synod
was held in Seville on 15 July 1869. Protestant activity in the following years
was focussed on primary education.
The First Spanish Republic in 1873 tried to restrict the Catholic Church from
education and between 1873 and 1876 there was still Protestant advancement
in Spain, a theological seminary opened in the port of Santa Maria in 1873, and
in connection with this, intensive book and pamphlet publishing activity. After
the 1874 restoration of Alfonso XII (1875-1885), which benefited the Catholic
Church, the number of religious schools increased. Though the conservative
constitution of 1876 in its Article 11 declared that “all Spanish may establish
and maintain educational institutions, according to the laws in force”, the or¬
ganising of Protestant schools and religious life slowed down.
The freedom of education was one of the most controversial issues in nine¬
teenth century Spain. The Catholic Church considered freedom of education a
mistake until the beginning of the twentieth century, and this attitude defined
its relations to the state and to Protestants.!? At the same time, in the spirit of
laws in force since 1869, the conservative politician, Count Toreno (1840-1890)
argued that “schools cannot be denied those the constitution allows to have
churches”. In the debates before the constitution of 1876, Emilio Castelar!* said
that one of the main reasons for Spain’s backwardness was that education was
in the hands of an intolerant church."
The 1876 law stated that it didn’t matter if the school was public or Protes¬
tant, freedom of conscience must be protected. The Catholic Church argued
against this, fearing Protestant propaganda in schools. Statistically, nineteenth
century Spanish Protestantism was a failure; even in 1933 there seem to have
been only about 21,000 Protestants in Spain.’® Nonetheless the liberation of
Protestant education was an important factor in the complicated process of the
modernization of contemporary Spain.
12° PUELLES BENÎTEZ DE, Manuel, Secularizaciôn y enseñanza en España (1874-1917), in J.L.
Garcia Delgado (ed.), España entre dos siglos (1875-1931), Continuidad y Cambio, VII Coloquio
de Historia Contemporänea de España, Madrid, Siglo XXI, 1991, 199.
Emilio Castelar (1832-1899), writer, rhetorician, politician. The last prime minister ofthe First
Republic of 1873.
4° CARR, Raymond, España 1808-1975, Barcelona, Ariel, 1984, 10th ed. 340.
15 Ibid., 341.
+ 228 +