England prevented the Virgin of Luján who was in the war from returning to the Malvinas

The British Government in the Malvinas Islands prevented relatives of Argentine soldiers who died in the 1982 war from lowering there the image of the Virgin of Luján that accompanied them during the conflict.

It was a humanitarian trip in which relatives went to visit the graves of soldiers in the Darwin cemetery, taking with them the “Malvinera” Virgin, recovered a few years ago by the Military Bishopric of Argentina, after having remained for years in an English cathedral.

The relatives explained to Religious Values that the decision had no further explanation: “They told us that it was not possible for it to be in the Malvinas again without giving us a clear reason, although we assume that they believe that the presence of the image means a vindication of the deed and, therefore, of the Argentine sovereignty,” explained Daniel Doronzoro, president of the Civil Association “La fe del Centurión”, which offers spiritual assistance to veterans, and was the one who carried the image.

“What the Virgin wants is reconciliation between the Argentinians and the British, what she wants is peace between both peoples,” he added.

Although the arrival of the Virgin had been previously informed to the British embassy in Argentina, and communicated to the authorities present in the Islands, they gave the refusal.

The Military Bishop of Argentina, Mons. Santiago Olivera, recognized that the visit of the Image of the Virgin to Malvinas “for us was a reason for great joy, a historical event, that the same image that accompanied the soldiers in Malvinas can return to our land there on the islands, with family members.”

It was planned that the image would later return to the continent, to remain in the Bishopric, because “the Virgin of Luján Malvinera means a lot,” the bishop told ACI Prensa.

“We were surprised by this action because we were talking, the Military Bishop of England himself, of Aldershot, knew about the trip, he wished us a good trip, and the British Embassy here in Argentina also knew about this issue,” he explained.

“It was just a sign, but Mary accompanied, Mary landed with the faithful, she could not reach the Darwin cemetery where the fallen are, but Mary, as a good mother, was able to accompany her children on the flight, and that also fills us with joy. and it renews our hope that one day we will be able to arrive,” he said.

“May God grant that this sad event does not deepen confrontation, hatred, or pain, but that in Mary we can be true children,” the bishop hoped.

“Mary is the mother of all, the mother of the Argentines, the mother of the English, she is the mother of all and that comforts us and fills us with peace,” he concluded.

The image of the Virgin of Luján was present during the Malvinas War, accompanying the Argentine soldiers in the field Masses. After the armed conflict ended, the image remained in the United Kingdom, where it was located in 2018 by “La fe del Centurión”, and in a gesture of fraternity between the Military Bishoprics of both countries, it was returned to Argentina, after blessing by Pope Francis. .

The return of the image to Malvinas, led by the relatives of the deceased soldiers, was accompanied by the Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires, Mons. Pedro Cannavó, who until his episcopal appointment served as Military Chaplain.

The Bishop who accompanied the relatives was hopeful, saying that “it couldn’t be this time, but it will be in the future.”