The parish of San José de Los Gallardos hosted a Eucharist this Wednesday marked by grief following the wildfire that struck the Levante almeriense region and claimed thirteen lives. The celebration, originally planned to mark the feast of the town’s patron saint, became a funeral Mass for the victims and an act of thanksgiving for the dedication of the professionals and volunteers who took part in the firefighting and relief efforts.
The Mass was presided over by the Bishop of Almería, Antonio Gómez Cantero, who wished to accompany the residents during these days of mourning and personally express his gratitude to the members of the Civil Guard, Local Police, Civil Protection, health services, Levante Firefighters, INFOCA, Red Cross, the Military Emergency Unit, the Legion and the numerous volunteers who assisted during the emergency.
Also in attendance were the Deputy Government Delegate in Almería, José María Martín Fernández; the Government Delegate of the Junta de Andalucía in Almería, Aránzazu Martín Moya; the President of the Provincial Council, as well as the mayors of Los Gallardos, Bédar and other institutional representatives.
During his stay in the area, the bishop also announced that in the coming days he will visit the parishes of Garrucha and Bédar to accompany the affected communities and convey a message of closeness and hope.
“There is always a group of Spaniards ready to drop everything to help their neighbor”
The homily was delivered by the parish priest of Los Gallardos, Víctor Fernández Maldonado, who paid tribute to the thirteen deceased and publicly acknowledged the work of those who fought the fire and attended to the affected population.
The priest highlighted the rapid response of the emergency services and volunteers, emphasizing that “there is always a group of Spaniards ready to drop everything to help their neighbor.” In his view, the tragedy has once again demonstrated the Spanish society’s capacity for self-sacrifice and the importance of collaboration among the various administrations and emergency services.
Fernández Maldonado also thanked those who “risked their lives to save homes and people” and stated that their dedication went “beyond the call of duty,” while encouraging the faithful to remain united and set aside divisions in order to face the consequences of the tragedy together.
“Where is God?”
Fernández Maldonado also addressed one of the questions that, he said, has been repeated most often since the tragedy: “Where is God?” In response, he affirmed that God “was evacuated with you,” “was dying with our neighbors,” “was in the hands of the medical staff” and also “in the hands of our firefighters, the military and the pilots of the water bombers and helicopters, civil guards and police officers who risked their lives fighting on the front line.”
The parish priest maintained that Christ has also been present in those who prepared food, medicine and aid for the evacuees, and recalled that suffering does not have the last word for the Christian. “We Christians do not remain at the death of Christ, but believe in the Resurrection,” he stated, before entrusting the victims to the intercession of the Virgin of Carmen and asking for consolation for their families.
The homily concluded with thanksgiving to the Virgin for her protection over the region during the days of the fire and with a message of hope addressed to the residents, inviting them to face the material and spiritual reconstruction of the community with their trust placed in God.