Women held a die-in in protest against domestic violence (Picture: Getty Images)

A Spanish archbishop has been accused of ‘inciting violence’ after claiming that domestic abuse takes place because ‘women do not obey men.’

Braulio Rodriguez, who is the Archbishop of Toledo, spoke to his congregation about relationships at a sermon held in Toledo Cathedral on 27 December, and his comments were later written up in the Our Father parish bulletin.

He criticised ‘false marriages’ and ‘quickie divorces’, and said that the root cause of domestic violence was a woman’s ‘disobedience’ to her husband.

‘The majority of cases of domestic violence happen because the woman’s partner does not accept them, or rejects them for not accepting their demands,’ he said.




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Rodriguez blamed the disobedience of women for domestic violence ‘Or often the macho reaction comes about because she asked for a separation.’

The comments were met with anger by thousands across Spain and protests were held across Madrid.

Rodriguez was accused of having ‘medieval views’ and ‘inciting violence’.

One woman said he ‘should be locked up’.

Last year, 56 women were killed in Spain because of domestic violence.

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Protests were held in Madrid (Picture: Getty Images)