The Fidelity Cross (or Cruz Fidélitas) is a medal of the Spanish Armed Forces, primarily awarded to military chaplains. It is awarded by the military archbishopric to reward faithful service by chaplains, as well as services to the archbishopric by deserving civilians, institutions and other military personnel.
The decree established the award as a decoration of the Archdiocese of Spain, rather than the military, and stipulated that only the current military archbishop had the authority to award grades of the Cruz Fidélitas. However, he may temporarily delegate the power to award any class of the award to any chaplain he sees fit, other than that of Grand Cross.
There are three classes of the Cruz Fidélitas that can be awarded to military chaplains:
- Cruz de la Cruz Fidélitas (Cross of the Fidelity Cross), awarded for 15 years of service.
- Encomienda de la Cruz Fidélitas (Commendation of the Fidelity Cross), awarded for 20 years of service.
- Plata de la Cruz Fidélitas (Plate of the Fidelity Cross), awarded for 25 years of service.
The Fidelity Cross Design
The ribbon of the medal is purple, with two white stripes extending down each side. From the ribbon hands a white-enameled cross bordered in gold, with gold spikes extending between the arms.
In the center of the cross, in the obverse, is the emblem of the Military Archbishopric of Spain, enameled in red. The reverse of the medal features a capital letter “F” relieved in the center of the cross, and the year “2007” on the lower arm, also in relief. A gold crown is used to suspend the cross from the ribbon.
Aside from that of the Cross of Honor, the ribbon bars of each grade also bear a device, dependent on the grade received. The ribbon bars of the Plate, Commendation, and Cross of the Cruz Fidélitas bear a Latin cross fleury, in gold, silver or bronze, respectively. The ribbon bar of the Grand Cross features a Spanish Royal Crown.
