The priest from a parish in the municipality of Trofa, district of Porto, donated 80,000 euros, destined to works in two parishes, for the acquisition of material for the Hospital de São João, due to the pandemic of the covid-19.
Father Rui Alves, 36, explained this Wednesday to the Lusa agency that about 80,000 euros were raised in São Mamede and São Romão, in Coronado village, for works in the parishes, but he decided to donate the money to the Center University Hospital of São João (CHUSJ), in Porto.
After talking to the chairman of the CHUSJ board of directors, to find out which material is most needed, 36 infusion pumps (electronic medical instruments for intermittent or continuous administration of fluids, such as medication) and five stations (monitors) have already been ordered, material that should arrive “within two to three weeks”.
The 60,000 euros collected in the parish of São Mamede do Coronado would be to rehabilitate the parish residence, while the 20,000 euros collected in São Romão do Coronado were intended for the rehabilitation of the chapel of S. Bartolomeu, the parish hall and a park.
“This money was raised with processions, individual donations and singing in January, among other initiatives. This idea [doação] it arises from the social urgency we all experience. The works may be carried out later. Now is the time to save human lives and these are priceless. This money is not mine, it belongs to my people who trust me, and I hope to always be worthy of that same trust ”, said Rui Alves.
The parish priest recalls that, “throughout history, and contrary to much that is said and written, the Church has always been at the forefront” in helping in situations like the one we are currently experiencing, because of the new coronavirus.
“This is the time to forget what can break us up and truly hold hands. São Paulo, at a certain point in his life, makes the following statement: `Show me your works and I will tell you your faith ‘. I don’t believe in true spirituality if we don’t live authentic humanity. (…) And since the road is going to be long, let us learn what this time is teaching us and let us all be simpler and more human ”, asks Father Rui Alves.
The Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João (CHUSJ), in Porto, welcomed the gesture and thanked the help.
“CHUSJ thanks the enormous generosity and solidarity shown by Father Rui Miguel Alves, from the Parish of São Romão de Coronado, at this moment of enormous difficulty for everyone. The history surrounding this donation, far beyond the importance and the need for the material offered, makes CHUSJ professionals very sensitive ”, says the hospital, in a reaction sent today to Lusa.
The new coronavirus, responsible for the covid-19 pandemic, has already infected nearly 866,000 people worldwide, of whom more than 43,000 have died.
In Portugal, according to the balance made today by the Directorate-General for Health, there were 187 deaths, 27 more than the day before (+ 16.9%), and 8,251 confirmed infections, which represents an increase of 808 in compared to Tuesday (+ 10.9%).
Of those infected, 726 are hospitalized, 230 of whom are in intensive care units, and there are 43 patients who have recovered.
Portugal, where the first confirmed cases were registered on March 2nd, is in a state of emergency from 00:00 on March 19th until 23:59 on April 2nd.
In addition, the Government declared on the 17th the state of public calamity for the municipality of Ovar.
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