World Church · October 21, 2026
Also published in Português (Brasil)
Family of Moncho Reboiras Seeks Justice in Argentina
The family of Xosé Ramón Reboiras Noia, known as Moncho Reboiras, has turned to the Argentine justice system to clarify his murder. This legal action is supported by the Coordinadora Estatal de Apoyo a la Querella Argentina.
The legal initiative targets 24 members of the Police and the Francoist Political-Social Brigade. The family is seeking an investigation into the death of Reboiras and the determination of possible criminal responsibilities. This move follows a 2023 complaint filed in Ferrol, which Spanish courts archived, partly due to the statute of limitations on the crimes.
Reboiras died on August 12, 1975, in Ferrol at the age of 25. He was a militant of the Unión do Povo Galego and was involved in organizing the labor movement, defending workers' rights, and supporting Galician cultural identity. His death occurred during a period when the dictatorship persecuted those who questioned the political order and restricted fundamental freedoms.
During this era, several priests integrated their faith with the suffering of workers. Following the death of workers Amador Rey and Daniel Niebla during a police repression of a protest in Ferrol on March 10, 1972, priests such as Antonio Martínez Aneiros, Xosé Chao Rego, and Vicente Couce denounced the events from their parishes. Gabriel Vázquez Seijas, the priest of the Canido parish, was arrested for opening the church doors to protect workers from police violence.
Other religious figures and organizations also engaged in social justice. Bishop Miguel Anxo Araúxo Iglesias supported denunciations of violence against workers. The Hermandad Obrera de Acción Católica and the Juventud Obrera Cristiana helped raise social consciousness among youth and workers. Additionally, priest Moncho Valcárcel supported peasant struggles, participated in the creation of the Fouce magazine of the Comisiones Labriegas, and was a member of the Asemblea Nacional-Popular Galega. Valcárcel was detained in 1974 for his political commitment and again in February 1977 during conflicts in Cerceda regarding mining exploitation.