Home » News » Coronavirus Valencia Phase 0: the Basilica opens for the day of the Virgen de los Desamparados

Coronavirus Valencia Phase 0: the Basilica opens for the day of the Virgen de los Desamparados

The coronavirus pandemic had to dilute the celebration of the Day of the Virgin. The health crisis caused by the SARS-CoV-2 and the state of alarm in which the whole country finds itself has forced the public to suspend all the celebrations of the festivity of the Patron Saint of the city of València. The traditional transfer of the ‘Geperudeta’ that gathers thousands of fervent devotees of the Virgin in the surroundings of the Basilica year after year has been one more victim of the long list of cancellations of public events that have happened in recent weeks.

The Mare de Déu dels Desemparats Day was to be celebrated this second Sunday in May 2020 in the strictest privacy and without public. The temple that houses the Virgin had to remain closed to the public, as established by the regulations of the state of alarm that seeks to contain the spread of the pandemic. However, and against all expectations, the cardinal and archbishop of Valencia, Antonio Cañizares, has decided at 11:30 this morning to open the doors of the Basilica to the faithful so that they can see their Patron Saint.

The news was not long in spreading like wildfire and there have been many devotees who, upon learning of the opening of the temple, have entered into it. The stamp inside the Basilica allowed people to see in and out without any kind of control. Some came with masks, but others did not. While some occupied the temple seats, separated with a security distance, others remained standing in the place, without a security distance and violating all the measures imposed by the Government.

The agents of the Local Police of Valencia stationed in the Plaza de la Virgen as a deterrent to avoid possible crowds of faithful, have noticed the opening of the doors of the temple and have reported it to the Government Delegation. At 1:11 p.m., a patrol of the National Police Corps arrived in the area.

The councilor for Citizen Protection of the Valencia City Council, Aarón Cano, has described Cardinal Cañizares’ decision to open the temple to the faithful as irresponsible. Cano, in addition, has accused the archbishop of the city of “cheating” since he has opened the temple as if it were any Sunday when he could not do it or did not have permission.

From the Local Police of Valencia a report is being prepared that will be forwarded to the Government Delegation since “it is the central Administration that must act”. The councilor of the Valencian consistory has stressed that this is a “very serious” decision.

However, from the Basilica the legality of opening the doors of the temple at normal hours and like any other Sunday has been defended. In fact, they affirm that this afternoon they will reopen the doors to the faithful between 17 and 19 hours.

Some faithful this morning inside the temple. J.M.Lopez
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