Bishop of Guarda expresses “sorry” for the death of former mayor and calls for solidarity from communities

The Bishop of Guarda , D. José Pereira, left this Friday, August 15, a message of condolence for the death recorded in Vila Franca de Deão, following the fight against the flames, and urged Christian communities to show solidarity.

"While continuing to communicate closely with the parish priests of the communities in the Diocese of Guarda affected by the fires, I would like to express my condolences to the family of Carlos Dâmaso, who died while fighting the flames in Vila Franca do Deão," reads the statement released last night.

The Bishop of Guarda presided over the “celebration of the 6:00 pm Mass, in the Guarda Cathedral for his entry into the full dimension of Life” and assured his “plea in favor of the other citizen injured in the same fire” and of the firefighters who were also injured in the fire that is developing in the municipality of Mêda .

The first fatality in the forest fires raging in Portugal was recorded this Friday when the body of the former mayor of Vila Franca do Deão, Carlos Dâmaso, was found, who died fighting the flames in Vila Franca do Deão.

D. José Pereira wrote that "prayer has a supernatural dynamic of communication and unity," which is why it is truly "the first service" that can be provided to strengthen the spirit and hope of all populations who see their possessions and belongings at risk, or who have seen them burn and lost and need to start over."

The Bishop of Guarda also stated his intention, as soon as this does not run the risk of interfering with the ongoing combat and aftermath operations, to schedule a visit with the parish priests of the affected communities to bring them encouragement and strength.

“And they are already from several municipalities in our Diocese: Penamacor, Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo , Trancoso , Seia , Covilhã, Celorico da Beira , Guarda, Sabugal ”, he said

And he concluded: “May Our Lady of the Assumption assist us in emergencies and distress, and subsequently illuminate the path of fire and forest management and prevention.”