Today there took place an extremely moving, dignified memorial service at Madrid's Almudena Cathedral for the victims of the bombing of 11th March. It was attended by the Spanish Royal Family, and by many visiting dignitaries, but not all the family members of the victims were present, apparently, since they felt, rightly or wrongly, that some of the dignitaries in attendance were to blame for the deaths (I heard one very bitter woman on the radio yesterday morning, telling the presenter Iñaki Gabilondo that on no account did she intend to go.) Some expressed their unhappiness, prior to the service, that it should be taking place in a Catholic cathedral. There was thus sorrow, but also anger. An extract from the homily of Archbishop Antonio Rouco Varela can be heard here.

Security, apparently, was very tight.

Update: an elegantly-written, thought-provoking report on the service, from Elizabeth Nash in The Independent, here.
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