Almeida asks Almudena “to free us from sterile disputes that make us waste our energy”

During the traditional renewal of the Town’s vow to its patron saint, the mayor began by remembering those families who have lost a member or who are still looking for their relatives among the remains of the flood. For them, the mayor asked the Virgin “to comfort them, to feel the encouragement and help of the entire country.” But without a doubt his most political message has been the one referring to those “sterile disputes” that make all political forces “waste our energy.”

It is the same philosophy that supported the words of the archbishop of Madrid, the Cardinal José Cobowho in his homily also referred to the importance of “assuming that difference does not have to be enmity.” In this sense, the archbishop has defended two key ideas, “difference and unity”, which must be “always in harmony.” As he explained, difference “is a gift, it brings nuances, colors and change”, while “the greatness of dialogue encourages debate and leads us to the deepest search for the truth.”

For this reason, the archbishop has asked to work along these lines because “when we are able to put aside ideological views that fragment and divide, we all turn out to be much more similar than we believed.” This has been felt in this DANA, where “so many good people who have put aside their differences,” he recalled.

His final request to “Christians and politicians of all colors” was this: “We need, like eating, today more than ever, to build together a more humane public life and a kinder coexistence. “Let dialogue, calm and mutual respect prevail.”

The calls for dialogue and to put the needs of those affected before any other political consideration came after some of the politicians present at the event had made statements along a completely opposite line. This is the case of the Government delegate in the Community of Madrid, Francisco Martín, who has asked the Valencian president, Carlos Mazón, for responsibilities: «The time will come when he and the rest of those responsible for the Valencian Government will have to give explanations. “We are focused on management, on providing solutions, on continuing to accelerate solutions and we are not going to be distracted from this issue.”

Nor have the representatives of Vox been lukewarm in their charges: Isabel Pérez Moñino-Aranda, the spokesperson for this group in the Assembly, this Saturday blamed the “autonomous system” for the failures in the management of DANA, describing it as “a failure.” ». And the party’s spokesperson at City Hall, Javier Ortega Smith, has expressed himself along the same lines, asking Virgen de la Almudena, on the day on which she is commemorated, for a change of Government in Spain. “We are going to ask you so that soon there is a government in Spain that deserves the name of the Government of Spain because the dear Spanish people always know how to live up to it but unfortunately they do not always have the governments they deserve to live up to.”

More institutionally, the PSOE spokesperson, Reyes Maroto, referred to the solidarity of the people of Madrid, demonstrated once again with the help that has been sent to Valencia after the tragedy that occurred. Maroto also thanked the emergency forces for their work, and asked the Virgin for “the elderly who are alone, especially the women.”

Lucía Lois, spokesperson for Más Madrid in the City Council, also wanted to respect the day and refer to the fact that “we are all next to those affected by the tragedy in Valencia, with our heads set there.” And he highlighted the “incredible wave of solidarity” that has been experienced. “Madrid,” he recalled, “is very close to Valencia, we are cousins, and they should know that we are available, that we are not going to let them fall: solidarity is above everything else,” he concluded.

The president of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, as well as the president of the Assembly, Enrique Ossorio, and several councilors of the regional government also participated in the event.

In the vicinity of the Almudena Cathedral, the Torrelaguna carpet makers carried out their work, who have created an image of the Virgin made by reusing 850 kilos of the salt that was spread last winter on the roads, suitably treated and dyed.