Spanish politicians implore Virgin Mary's help amid economic crisis

Madrid, Spain, Aug 16, 2012 / 11:05 am

Various Spanish political leaders looked to the Virgin Mary on the Feast of the Assumption Aug. 15 to ask for help in bringing the country out of its worsening economic crisis.

Madrid's mayor, Ana Botella, prayed for jobs during Mass in the Spanish capital, while the Mayor of Biblao, Inaki Azkuna, prayed to Our Lady of Begona.  

Azkuna predicted that the upcoming financial year "will be difficult, we will have to make a lot of efforts and sacrifices, and we will need people made of iron and steel in order to endure what is coming."

"Those of us who are believers continue to believe that we could be given some help and that we need it. All of society, and not only politicians, is going to have to make a tremendous effort," he added.

The Mayor of Toledo, Emiliano Garcia-Page, said during a Mass in that city that Spaniards will need "hope and unity" to endure that difficult economic and social situation the country is facing.  

"During times of difficulty and social and economic crisis, a spirit of solidarity is necessary for there to be unity," he said. "We will be able to combat the crisis better together if we all do our part," he added.

Other politicians attended religious services, including the Governor of the Canary Islands, Paulino Rivero, who went to Mass with those affected by the recent wild fires on the island of Tenerife.  Likewise, the president of Cantabria, Ignacio Diego, attended Mass in the city of Selaya.

In Almonte, Mayor Jose Antonio Dominguez took part in the procession of Our Lady of Rocio, and the secretary general of the Socialist Party of Castilla and Leon, Julio Villarrubia, attended religious services in the city of Villamuriel de Cerrato.