When the old summit volcano collapsed the church of Todoque, Antonio Hernández Hernández, rector of the Royal Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Nieves, the heart turned him.Those images left him very touched.But in the midst of pain he thought about the possibility of being part of the treasure of the Virgen de las Nieves, patron of the island, available to those affected, of those who had lost everything.
And after consulting the faithful - the majority gave their approval -, so did.The jewelry set includes rings, chains, bracelets or gold earrings that are not in public use and that will not be used.Pieces with devotional meaning and economic value, but without historical or artistic relevance.
«We cannot be oblivious to the suffering of the neighbors and less from this place, which has been so important in other eruptions or during the pandemic.It has always been a reference.A mother is always close to her children and she is able to give everything, ”she explains in conversation with Alfa and Omega.The amount received by these goods will be added to the Solidarity Fund that Cáritas Diocesana de Tenerife has.
However, Hernández points out that the most important thing is not the amount that can be offered, but "the gesture", which goes in the line "with what Pope Francis proposes: a church of the poor and for the poor."For now, some priests have already shown their intention to collaborate with other donations.
Eviction of the Rectoral House of San Isidro
In his opinion, money will be fundamental to channel people's lives once the volcano stops rooting, although it notes that there is currently a difficulty in finding free and available houses for people who have had to be evicted.
The last ones have been 800 families in the Los Llanos area, where the parish of San Isidro has had to close, the only one that remained operational from which the priest Alberto Hernández attends.The pastor has also left the rectory house.
«We are living this situation with a very deep anxiety, because it is what we perceive in people.We trust that the Lord and the intercession of the Virgin will help us in reconstruction.You have to put strength, enthusiasm, creativity, commitment ... and in this task, the sanctuary of Our Lady of the Snow is a reference, ”insists the rector.
Desastres naturalesLa PalmaTenerife
