Construction of new Pedro Miguel Church, Faial Island, demonstrates resilience of Azorean People, says Vasco Cordeiro
The President of the Government presided over the laying of the first stone of the construction of the new Pedro Miguel Parish Church, a “moment of profound significance” for the island of Faial and for the Region, which is an example of the resilience of the Azorean People.
“What this ceremony represents is a little bit of the history of our history here in the Azores.
We have shown the strength to face storms, earthquakes and volcanoes and, after each storm, to rebuild and rise once again.
This lesson of resilience, determination and persistence from the Azorean people is something absolutely extraordinary,” said Vasco Cordeiro.
The new church in the parish of Pedro Miguel, after its destruction by the 1998 earthquake, represents a global investment of about 2.3 million Euros, of which 1.7 million Euros are granted by the Government under the protocol signed with the Diocese of Angra do Heroísmo for the recovery of churches on the islands of Faial and Pico.
“The Region, through the Regional Government, is thus closely linked to this reconstruction process. Three-quarters of the budget for the construction of this church are allocated by the Regional Government," said Vasco Cordeiro.
This resilience of the Azoreans is also evidenced by the current pandemic context, which “force us to seek strength where we did not think we had them to rebuild the economy and the way we relate to each other,” stressed the President of the Government.
In his speech, Vasco Cordeiro also praised the mobilisation and accomplishment of the communities throughout the archipelago “when united towards a common goal.”
“Today, we are talking about the construction of a new church, but we could also talk, as far as the mobilisation of the community is concerned, of a set of infrastructures that serve these same communities for social, cultural, sports and recreational purposes," stressed the President of the Government.