A first in Spain: A parish mixes the Koran and the Gospel with the parade of the Three Kings

The parish of Guisona, a small town in the province of Lleida, caused controversy with its unprecedented initiative for the traditional cavalcade of the Three Wise Men. This popular celebration, where people dressed as Three Kings parade through the streets on decorated floats distributing candy to children, commemorates the arrival of the three kings who came to offer gifts to the child Jesus. On January 5, the celebration included for the first time the reading of passages from the Koran alongside the Gospel texts.

This decision, announced on the parish’s Instagram account, was part of an “inclusive” approach carried out for two years, taking into account “the confession of the different kings and pages”. The local church justified its choice by citing the desire to create “a moment of unity” while preserving the tradition of the nativity scene.

The initiative sparked strong reactions, particularly from defenders of Christian traditions who saw it as a “perversion” of centuries-old customs. Some particularly criticized the fact that this approach came from a Catholic religious institution. The parish, attached to the diocese of Urgell, maintained its position, arguing that this ecumenical celebration would deliver “a message of peace” shared by the different faiths.