It seems that some time ago we entered directly and without remission into a New Inquisition. This one is orchestrated through the media, which formerly had a reputation for being serious, but where now not only do they not publish news stories, but they pour out under the heading "Analysis" a whole string of insults and guesses at intentions, as if their readers can't do with their consciences what they want. Among all those this Wednesday, I've found one where a writer with the surname of an Egyptian god speaks with the scorn of the ignorant about Catalan vice-president Oriol Junqueras in a text entitled The threefold path of Brother Junqueras.
I'm not in the habit of, nor is it good for, nor is it part of the role of a journalist to defend a politician, because whoever they are they are capable of and it exceeds them to do so with the truth and with lies. But, currently, Junqueras isn't a politician but a political prisoner who cannot defend himself from people who think the same as the columnist. Joking about Junqueras' faith and criticising what he calls his "sanctimonious" attitude, accusing him of acting with the pretence of being a religious martyr, claiming he cannot bear the breathing of the common prisoners, saying he has no better campaign office than his "mystic" cell and emphasising that he misses the comforts of the outside world has little to do with the job of an analyst, a lot to do with a fool. A profession, certainly, which seems to be on the up and which surely signals a stand out role in the new theatres that many debates are today. I'd recommend him to be patient and, if he dares, as adults should, to wait until Junqueras leave Estremera prison, a situation he claims Junqueras is experiencing as a journey of purification. I'm sure the vice-president won't snub him but, meanwhile, it's unfair to take advantage of someone who cannot defend themselves and who is the weakling of history.
The New Inquisition doesn't pay attention to reason but looks to destroy its adversary by whatever means possible. And some media outlets take in and protect its brothers as if they were brave, daring beings, bold and with licence to scorn not now ideas, but all types of value. Religious ones too. They are the new Torquemadas five centuries later.