The priest of El Campello is clear: the Virgen del Carmen “belongs to the people”. Pedro Juárez has written a Letter addressed to neighbors of the municipality after the controversy unleashed in recent weeks around the devout image.
The parish priest of Santa Teresa de El Campello“With a serene heart”He wants to shed light on a situation that, in recent times, has generated “Unnecessary discomfort, discomfort and division Around such a dear and endearing devotion “as is that of Our Lady of Carmen.
Juarez considers a “Pastoral and moral duty” Clarify the situation “from truth, respect and service to the common good” before the position of the Star Parties Commission of the Seas, with complaints against him before the Civil Guard for undue appropriation and theft of the image.
The priest makes it clear that the Virgen del Carmen is “in Perfect state of conservation And in optimal conditions “and emphasizes that it has been cared for and venerated” with the love and devotion “that the people of El Campello” have always shown him. “
In addition, it affects that there is no “No conflict about its integrity or its presence” in the hermitage, place where it has been welcomed and from where the celebrations and processions have presided over for years.
Secondly, discharge all responsibility for what can happen to you at a judicial level in a higher hierarchical institution: “My Acting at all times has been guided by obedience To the bishopric of Orihuela-Aliante, to whose indications I owe myself. “
Respect and responsibility
In his pastoral mission it also corresponds to him, “”Take care of the unity of the Christian people and harmonize positionslistening with respect to all, but working with responsibility and discernment. “
The parties are not owned by anyone, let's ask the Virgen del Carmen to help us overcome divisions, to heal wounds “
In the open letter, Juarez argues that there are two clearly differentiated positions: on the one hand, a “small group” of people, linked to the Star Commission of the Seas, which argues that the image of the Virgen del Carmen “It is his property, without to date they have submitted documentary evidence conclusive “.
On the other hand, “a large majority of the people, with deep popular feeling”, which considers that the image “belongs to the people, acquired to process and celebrate the holidays in his honor, and that was delivered and donated to the hermitage for that same purpose. “
The priest says that The conflict is neither in the parish or in the ecclesial community nor in the property of the image of the Virgen del Carmen. “The root of the problem is in the relationship between the commission and the City Council, which, for reasons that do not correspond to us from here, He has retired his support, his favor and his confidence to said association“, Highlights.
Fiesta organization
As a consequence, it is reaffirmed that The Commission “has been disabled” to organize or participate in the official events or of the festivities of the Virgen del Carmen of the year 2025.
However, he invites everyone “to live this time with”Spirit of reconciliationfocusing our forces on what really matters: honor the Virgen del Carmen with dignity, faith, unity and joy. “
And it indicates that The parties “are not owned by anyonebut expression of a people who walk together under the gaze of Mary. “Therefore, he concludes asking the Virgin” to help us overcome divisions, heal wounds and to work together for parties full of meaning, faith and community. “
Complaint
As this newspaper has been informing, the Star Parties Commission of the Seas of El Campello has denounced the Cure Guard for undue appropriation and for theft of the image, since they defend that it is of his property for more than 40 years.
The Virgin is in the hermitage, in a closed niche with locksand when they went to take it, they met the closure of the priest, which did not let them take it out.
Mares Star traditionally in charge of the organization of the Fiestas de la Virgen del Carmen, together with the Fishermen's Brotherhood and the City Council, and carries religious acts.
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