Podcast Summary: Todo Concostrina

Episode Title: Acontece que no es poco | Comienza el gran show de los autos de fe
Host: Nieves Concostrina
Date: February 6, 2023
Podcast: SER Podcast

Main Theme / Purpose

In this episode, Nieves Concostrina dives into the origins and historical reality of the Spanish Inquisition’s first public execution—known as the “Auto de fe”—on February 6th, 1481. With her signature incisive, ironic tone, she confronts myths and political distortions about the brutality of the Inquisition, the complicity of Spanish institutions, and the continued whitewashing of this dark chapter in history.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Relevance of Historical Memory & Political Manipulation

• Concostrina argues that knowledge of history is a powerful tool to counter historical ignorance and political narratives that minimize the crimes of the Church and the Inquisition.
  • Quote: “A ellos les viene bien que se hable poco, pero hay que hablar más. Así que hay que refrescar la memoria para que al menos los que elaboran argumentarios en la sede del Partido Popular…” (02:00)
  • She references recent statements by political leaders (Feijóo of the Partido Popular) downplaying the proximity and impact of religious executions in Spain.

2. Timeline and Myths Around the Inquisition

• Correction of Common Myths:

  • Concostrina debunks the claim that the Church hasn't killed in “many centuries,” highlighting the 1826 execution of Cayetano Ripoll, a school teacher hanged for not conforming to Catholic norms—less than 200 years ago.
  • Quote: “El último ejecutado en España por la Iglesia Católica en nombre de la religión se llamaba Cayetano Ripoll, era maestro escuela y fue ahorcado en 1826... De esto no hace ni dos siglos.” (02:49)

• The Start of the ‘Show’

  • The first official auto de fe took place on February 6, 1481, in Seville, targeting converted Jews (“conversos judaizantes”).
  • Quote: “Aquel 6 de febrero de 1481 la Santa Inquisición castellana montó su primera performance… para achicharrar a seis respondones, a seis hombres.” (04:40)

3. Economic and Social Motives

• The targeting often focused on wealthy conversos whose possessions could be confiscated.
  • Quote: “Tampoco está claro que les interesaba más a los inquisidores, si acabar con un falso converso o confiscarle todos sus bienes, que también digo yo, una tontería.” (06:07)
  • Emphasizes the double motivation: religious enforcement and economic gain.

4. Scale and Escalation of Violence

• Concostrina notes that after this first event, the Inquisition’s violence escalated rapidly, especially under Tomás de Torquemada and subsequent monarchs (Carlos V, Felipe II).
  • More than a thousand were burned in Seville alone in 44 years.
  • Quote: “No había forma de apagar las hogueras donde ardían a veces familias enteras… Durante los siguientes 44 años… fueron quemadas solo en Sevilla más de mil personas.” (07:33)
• Different execution targets over the centuries:
  • Initially, converted Jews (conversos)
  • Later, Protestant Christians ("luteranos")
  • Eventually, anyone challenging the status quo: philosophers, reformers, teachers

5. Auto de Fe as Public Spectacle

• Autos de fe were designed as grand public performances, complete with indulgences (forgiveness of sins) for attendees.
  • Quote: “A mí esto me parece horrible. Daban 40 días de indulgencia a los asistentes. Yo no sé si hay algo más perverso y retorcido…” (10:21)
  • Recounts the chilling case of the 1559 Valladolid execution in front of Felipe II.

6. Persecution Beyond Religion

• Persecution wasn’t limited to religious heresy—targets included those accused of blasphemy, usury, sodomy, or simply being out of favor with authorities.
  • Quote: “Al que no le acusaba de judío se le acusaba de blasfemo, al de más allá de sodomita, y si no, pues de usurero. Siempre había algo.” (07:48)
• The ‘enemy’ would shift according to the needs of the institution.

7. Ignorance and Modern Consequences

• Cites the irony of present-day honors for historical figures involved in Inquisition-era executions, such as Archerbishop Simón López García—who both condemned Cayetano Ripoll and is still celebrated in Murcia.
  • Quote: “En Murcia lo tratan como a un honorable, siendo sólo un asesino antidemócrata. Ahí está en la placa, que lo borren.” (13:48)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Political Whitewashing:
  “Si para él ciento y pico años son muchos siglos, pues entonces el problema se agrava, porque encima no sabe contar.” (02:32)
  (On Feijóo's mistaken timeline of religious executions)

• On Indulgences for Attendees:
  “Daban 40 días de indulgencia a los asistentes. Yo no sé si hay algo más perverso y retorcido…” (10:24)
  (On rewarding the public for witnessing executions)

• On Shifting Persecution:
  “Cuando a la Iglesia se le acababan los enemigos, se buscaba a otros.” (12:39)

• On Religious Violence:
  “No hay religión, no hay ni una sola religión que no se sienta en el derecho de matar, ni una sola. Y las tres religiones asesinas son precisamente las que comparten el mismo Dios…” (11:23)

• On Modern-day Tributes to Executioners:
  “En Murcia lo tratan como a un honorable, siendo sólo un asesino antidemócrata. Ahí está en la placa, que lo borren.” (13:48)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:59] – Start of discussion on erasing historical crimes by today's politicians
• [02:49] – The truth about the last religiously-motivated execution (Cayetano Ripoll, 1826)
• [04:40] – The first auto de fe in Seville: context, motive, and spectacle
• [07:33] – Scale of persecution and Torquemada’s excesses
• [09:38] – Shift to Protestant targets (luteranos) in the 16th century
• [10:21] – The Valladolid executions as both horror and social event
• [11:23] – On the inherent violence of monotheistic religions
• [13:13] – Example of ecclesiastical executioners still being honored in Spain

Language & Tone

Nieves Concostrina uses direct, irreverent, and sometimes sarcastic language to demystify official narratives and expose the brutality—often with biting humor and sharp critique. The conversation is energetic and accessible but thoroughly researched, mixing narrative storytelling with historical correction.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode vividly exposes the violent, institutional reality of the Spanish Inquisition, situating its origins in broader political and economic contexts, and expertly skewering ongoing attempts (especially in political discourse) to sanitize or whitewash Spain’s religious past. Concostrina provides both historical rigor and present-day relevance, ensuring listeners rethink what they know about the intersection of faith, power, and memory in Spain.