Gillian Keller
THE priest who will marry tennis ace Rafael Nadal has revealed the ‘real Rafa’ ahead of the upcoming wedding of the year.
Bartomeu Catala is a Mallorcan priest and also the founder of Projecte Home, a local charity helping drug and alcohol addicts.
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Catala is set to marry the 33-year-old and his long-time sweetheart Xisca Perello, 31, later this month in Pollensa’s sa Fortalesa.
“I have married many people,” said Catala, “each wedding I have done has been special, and this one will be the same.”
Nadal’s grandfather and namesake was an orchestra conductor for Catala who performed numerous concerts to benefit Projecte Home.
“Nadal is surrounded by people who love him – he is a person who loves and is loved,” Catala said.
Catala said that the fortress in Pollensa that the couple has chosen as their venue is a perfect choice as they want a ‘simple, personal and intimate ceremony’.
The giant estate of Sa Fortalesa was once a military fortress protecting the north of the island – it is now owned by English businessman Lord James Lupton.
In 2008 it was put up for sale at €120 million making it the most expensive property in Spain.
Today the estate is one of the most secure properties in Mallorca, making it the perfect location for TV and film projects including the BBC hit The Night Manager, along with multiple Netflix series.
This also makes it perfect for celebrity weddings including Nadal’s as the property is virtually impossible to get onto without permission.
Catala, along with Bishop Sebastia Taltavull, has given special permission for the couple to marry at the private estate rather than inside the church for security reasons.
Originally Catala planned on visiting the venue before the October 18 wedding but has since changed his mind.
“The location will be a surprise for me,” the priest said.
He will also be surprised by the famous faces set to attend the wedding.
“I know the people going in some way have a relationship with the couple and love and respect both Rafa Nadal and Xisca – to me knowing that is enough,” he added.
