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Apostolic Administrator reflects on ‘humanitarian disaster’ in Ceuta
The apostolic administrator of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta reflects on the recent crisis there, and invites all parishes to hold a prayer vigil so that it might bring about a “new cultural beginning.”
By Sebastián Sansón Ferrari
The apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta, Bishop Ramón Valdivia, has written to the priests, religious men and women, and faithful of the Diocese following recent events in Ceuta, sharing his reflections on this humanitarian and institutional crisis and proposing an ecclesial response centered on prayer, unity and the rebuilding of trust.
In his letter, published on the diocesan website on Saturday, August 8, the prelate acknowledges that he needed more than a week “to take a step back and understand the full extent” of what happened and its impact, beyond what was shown in the media. Valdivia describes a situation of suffering, fear and uncertainty, but also praises the calm shown by the people of Ceuta, who, in his view, prevented the tensions from escalating into a larger conflict.
The apostolic administrator denounces what he describes as the “humanitarian disaster” caused by ambition and corruption. On the one hand, he describes young people with no future, adults who taking advantage of the lack of governance to evade their responsibilities, and minors exposed to vulnerable situations; on the other, he points to the fear experienced by families and business owners in Ceuta as people entered homes and commercial premises.
This was “a whole cocktail of emotions that could have erupted into a larger conflict,” he says, before acknowledging that “thanks to the calm of the people of Ceuta, that did not happen.”
Santa María de África
Against this backdrop, Bishop Valdivia presents faith as one of the main sources of hope. In particular, he highlights the role played by Santa María de África (Saint Mary of Africa), the patron saint of Ceuta, who he describes as a source of consolation for the community.
For Valdivia, Santa María de África has once again become the “beacon” guiding Ceuta through its difficulties. In this context, he sees the celebrations honoring the patron saint—including a floral offering, solemn Mass and procession—as an opportunity to recognize the contribution of faith to the rebuilding of the city.
On Tuesday, August 4, numerous people from Ceuta gathered at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Africa to lay flowers at the feet of the Virgin and entrust the city and its families, particularly those suffering the consequences of the recent events, to her.
Thanks to the Pope and the Christian community
The apostolic administrator also expresses his gratitude to Pope Leo XIV for the message he delivered after the recitation of the Angelus on Sunday, August 2, 2026, in which he said that he carried Ceuta “in his heart.” He also recognizes the work of priests, parishes, religious men and women, volunteers at Casa San Antonio and Caritas, as well as the Brotherhood of the Patron Saint.
Valdivia believes that the response of these groups has provided “an example of unity amid so much tension.” He therefore calls on the entire Diocese to support and encourage the Christian community of Ceuta so that it may keep its witness of faith alive.
A prayer vigil in every parish
Following Pope Leo XIV’s appeal., Valdivia calls for people to turn their gaze toward God and urges all the parishes of the Diocese to hold a prayer vigil for peace, stability and justice in Ceuta on the evening before the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The vigil will also be held at the Sanctuary of Santa María de África. The intention, Valdivia explains, will not be simply to ask for protection, but also to foster an awareness of the need to “mature in the faith we have received” and to ask for the inspiration needed to face the present moment together.
For Valdivia, what has happened in Ceuta points to a profound cultural transformation. He therefore urges people not merely to wait for the crisis to pass, but to embrace these events as an opportunity to begin a new chapter.
“These events seem to me to reveal the depth of the cultural change that is taking place,” he warns. Faced with this challenge, he concludes by urging the diocesan community to lift its gaze and pray the Lord’s Prayer together: “‘Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’”
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