The Union of Brothehoods
Founded in
1930
The Union of Penitential Brotherhoods of Plasencia is the institution responsible for coordinating and organising Plasencia’s Holy Week, one of the most important in Extremadura. It was set up in 1950 with the aim of strengthening the work of the brotherhoods and ensuring the continuity of processions, preserving tradition and devotion
Current number of brotherhoods:
11
Registered officce:
Plasencia, Cáceres, España
Founding brotherhoods:
Vera-Cruz, Descendimiento, Santo Sepulcro, Jesús Nazareno
History
Background: The Crisis following the Ecclesiastical Confiscation
The Mendizábal Ecclesiastical Confiscations dealt a blow to Holy Week, leaving only the Brotherhood of the True Cross active, which continued the processions with the aid of guilds and individuals.
First attempt at reorganisation (19th century - 1928)
In the late 19th century a propitious period of resurgence commenced thanks to the efforts of the priest Julián Sánchez Roca, although the final impetus did not materialise until the 1928 Holy Mission, wherein the need for a definitive organisation was clearly felt. At that moment, a providential figure made an appearance, the Dean Eduardo Leal Lecea, who succeeded in creating two new brotherhoods in 1930. It was during this period that the Holy Week Promotion Board was also created under his presidency, which also included authorities as diverse as the parish priests of El Salvador and San Nicolás; the Progreso Mercantil and the Caja de Ahorros (Savings Bank). The chroniclers of the time categorically stated that "the Holy Weeks of Plasencia were the best in Extremadura. They had interesting projects and commissioned new religious floats". Los cronistas de la época afirmaban rotundamente que "las Semanas Santas de Plasencia eran las mejores de Extremadura. Tenian interesantes proyectos y encargados nuevos pasos."
Impact of the Second Republic and reorganisation (1943-1950)
The advantageous position enjoyed by Plasencia’s Holy Week would come to an end with the arrival of the Second Republic and the banning of processions. A reorganisation commenced in 1943, but, despite the efforts of individuals such as Mr. Bonifacio Cano Aguilar and the same bishop Bp. Feliciano Rocha Pizarro, only the Brotherhood of the Solitude and the Holy Sepulchre was created.
Consolidation of the Union of Brotherhoods
In 1950, following the death of Mr. Bonifacio Cano, the Holy Week Promotion Board was renamed the Union of Brotherhoods of Holy Week of Plasencia. It later adopted the name of the Brotherhoods of Passion and, a few years later, the Union of the Penitential Brotherhoods. On 7 February 1950, the statutes laying down the rules governing constitution and chairmanship were drawn up.
Statutes and Organisation
Principal provisions and founding statutes:
Article 2
The four founding penitential brotherhoods are: Brotherhood of the True Cross, Brotherhood of the Descent from the Cross, Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre and Brotherhood of Jesus of Nazareth, which shall have identical rights and obligations. Therefore the Brotherhood of the True Cross ceases to function as a super-brotherhood, although it is recognised as having honorary primacy for being the oldest, the only brotherhood to have survived the ecclesiastical confiscation and for many years single-handedly organised the processions. It can be said that the other brotherhoods were created under its aegis and until now have been members thereof, and that it has been undercapitalised by these efforts. Nevertheless, this primacy, as stated, shall be purely honorary, without entailing that this brotherhood has more rights and obligations than the other brotherhoods
Article 8
The Permanent Governing Board of the Union of Penitential Brotherhoods shall comprise of the presidents and directors of each of the founding penitential brotherhoods. The President of the V.T.O. of San Francisco, representatives of the Caja de Ahorros (Savings Bank), a Secretary General, a Vice Secretary, a Treasurer General, and a Vice Treasurer
Article 9 y10
The post must necessarily be held by the four presidents of the founding brotherhoods. The president elected by secret ballot and the other three shall occupy the vice presidency in order of votes obtained. In the event of a tie, the oldest president shall occupy that post.
Article 20
The order of seniority of the Penitential Brotherhoods for all intents and purposes is recognised as follows: Brotherhood of the True Cross, Brotherhood of the Descent from the Cross, Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre, and Brotherhood of Jesus of Nazareth.
Financial contribution from the City Council
The City Council’s financial support, essential for the success of the processional parades has acquired importance since 1988, when the brotherhoods requested from Council a contribution to the promotion of Plasencia’s Holy Week.
Since then, thanks to the funds received from the local government and donations and membership fees, significant progress has been achieved: restoration of religious floats, acquisition of new floats, emergence of new brotherhoods, and growth in membership.
In recent years, the Plasencia City Council and the Union of Brotherhoods have closely collaborated in promoting Holy Week and making same a reference benchmark not only in Extremadura but also nationally.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday
Easter Tuesday
Holy Thursday
Holy Thursday
Good Friday
