Extreme Catholic group urges beaches to be 'segregated by sex' in northern Spain so 'sins of the flesh' are avoided

  • Call for action by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés Carlist group in Asturias
  • Poster on group's Facebook calls for sun-seekers to avoid mixed beaches
  • Also offers recommendations for male and female swimming costumes

By Katie Amey for MailOnline

Published: 03:55 EST, 9 July 2015 | Updated: 04:02 EST, 9 July 2015

In northern Spain, a Catholic group is causing controversy after calling for beaches to be segregated by sex.

The campaign image, which was posted to the Pedro Menéndez de Avilés group Facebook page, encourages sun-seekers to avoid mixed beaches this summer to avoid 'sins of the flesh'.

The Carlist group is based in the region of Asturias, about three hours from Bilbao.

A Carlist group in Spain is urging for popular tourist beaches, such as San Lorenzo, to be 'segregated by sex'

A Carlist group in Spain is urging for popular tourist beaches, such as San Lorenzo, to be 'segregated by sex'

'Catholics, preserve your decency in summer, too: Don't go to mixed beaches!' the poster reads,according to The Local in Spain.

Below the image is a list of recommendations that 'good Catholics' should follow during the summer season.

It includes extracts from the Norms of Christian Decency, which is a set of rules published by Spanish bishops in 1958.

Among the recommendations is one to 'avoid mixed bathing' because it promotes potential for sin and scandal.

'Catholics, preserve your decency in summer, too: Don't go to mixed beaches!' the group's poster reads

'Catholics, preserve your decency in summer, too: Don't go to mixed beaches!' the group's poster reads

A spokesman for the Carlist group told The Local that 'the scenes that you see on mixed beaches are often close to sin.'

Carlism as a political philosophy first emerged in the 1830s and sees ultra-orthodox Catholicism as the cornerstone of the state.

It was a significant force in the country until the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975.

'The nudity of the bodies and the prevailing hedonism can weaken the devout soul,' the spokesperson speaking to The Local added, explaining that you don't see this kind of exhibitionism in the mountainous areas.

The group is based in Asturias, northern Spain, and also offers advice on what men and women should wear

The group is based in Asturias, northern Spain, and also offers advice on what men and women should wear

Also on the group's Facebook page is advice on what people should wear to preserve their modesty.

A 'simple bathing suit' will suffice for men, though women are advised their swimming costume should 'cover their body' and include 'a little skirt' for any time spent out of the water.

And if there are no segregated swimming options close by, the group simply recommends that the best option is 'to not go to the beach.'

Spanish beaches are especially popular among tourists, who flock to the seaside each summer.

So what about those individuals? The group urges holidaymakers to 'set an example' and condemns all the 'drunk tourists who are infecting our beaches.'  

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