In an open letter, the priests voiced support for Roman Catholic bishops in the Basque region who had criticised moves to ban the political wing of the armed separatist movement, ETA.

[This letter] makes no reference to the suffering of victims [of Basque separatist violence] and only seeks to compensate the hangmen

Foreign Minister Josep Pique

The bishops had said that outlawing the Batasuna Party was likely to lead to more division and violence in the Basque region.

Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique said the priests' letter contradicted the values of the Catholic Church and took no account of the victims of ETA violence.

The letter, published by Basque newspaper Deia, attacked what it said was Madrid's anti-democratic position "denying the fundamental right to self-determination for the Basque country demanded by the majority".

Mr Pique had already said the Vatican should consider expressing its disagreement with the earlier statement from the Basque bishops.

But the Vatican has said it will not for the moment intervene.

Mr Pique, who summoned the papal nuncio (or Vatican's ambassador) on Friday to complain at the bishops' stance, said the priests' letter went against the beliefs of the church.

"[This letter] makes no reference to the suffering of victims [of Basque separatist violence] and only seeks to compensate the hangmen," Mr Pique told reporters.