BY Amanda Connelly | October 4 | 
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Catalan government urge Church leaders to negotiate with Spanish authorities over political crisis
The Catalan Government has encouraged the Archbishop of Barcelona Cardinal Juan José Omella and the Abbot Josep Maria Soler of Montserrat to act as negotiators between Catalonia and the Spanish authorities.
The suggestion comes after the ongoing political tensions in the area, following an independence vote in the Spanish region of Catalonia, ruled unconstitutional by the Spanish Government and sparked outcry over the violence that ensued.
The Catalan authorities wish the archbishop and abbot to represent them in discussions with the Spanish Government, after the region’s vice president Oriol Junqueras met with Cardinal Omella, discussing how the Church and other international groups could help to negotiate the situation.
Sunday’s independence referendum saw violence break out as police officers attempted to close polling stations and confiscate ballot papers.
Cardinal Omella said the violent actions were ‘deplorable’, asking for ‘dialogue and prayer’ and that authorities have to seek a ‘peaceful and democratic solution.’
The Spanish Government has ruled out negotiations with Catalonia, saying that the vote is illegal since it goes against the constitution, meanwhile Catalan president Carles Puigdemont said warned the region declare independence within days.’
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