BISHOP'S OFFICES; PRIESTS EATING; PRIESTS LEAVING; POLICEMEN AT CHURCH; PEOPLE ENTER; POLICE PATROL.




Initials PK/VS/JB/ES



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: FORTY BASQUE PRIESTS HAVE ENDED A NINE-DAY PROTEST SIT-IN AT THE BISHOP'S OFFICES IN BILBAO, THAT WAS AIMED AT GAINING CHURCH SUPPORT FOR THE BASQUE PEOPLE, AND CONDEMNATION OF ALLEGED POLICE BRUTALITY. THE PRIESTS RETURNED TO THEIR PARISHES AFTER DAYS OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH LOCAL CHURCH OFFICIALS.

THE END OF THE PROTEST SIT-IN CAME AFTER AUTHORITIES AGREED TO APPOINT THREE OF THE PRIESTS TO A SPECIAL 12-MEMBER COMMISSION TO STUDY CLERICAL PROBLEMS IN THE DIOCESE, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE PROBLEM OF PRIESTS DETAINED BY POLICE FOR ANTI-GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES.

EIGHT PRIESTS ARE AT PRESENT SERVING SHORT JAIL TERMS FOR REFUSING TO PAY FINES IMPOSED FOR OPPOSITION TO LOCAL CIVIL AUTHORITIES.

THE PRIESTS' PROTEST IS THE LATEST SIGN OF UNREST AMONG THE BASQUE CLERGY, MANY OF WHOM OPPOSE THE PRESENT REGIME AND SYMPATHISE WITH THOSE SEEKING AN INDEPENDENT BASQUE STATE IN NORTH-EAST SPAIN.