Falklands : Meaningful and Dignified Next of Kin Visit to the Falklands
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 12.10.2009 (Article Archived on 26.10.2009)
President Christina Fernandez de Kirchner, this time in Buenos Aires, wished the 183 people on pilgrimage to Darwin Cemetery in the Falklands well before they set off for their journey.
STATUE OF OUR LADY OF LUJAN INTERRED AT DARWIN CEMETERY
By J. Brock (FINN)
Bishop Juan Carlos Romanin SDB Bishop of Rio Gallegos with a statue of Our Lady of Lujan prior to Mass on Saturday, 10 October (Photo by Kind Permission of Fr Peter Norris)
President Christina Fernandez de Kirchner, this time in Buenos Aires, wished the 183 people on pilgrimage to Darwin Cemetery in the Falklands well before they set off for their journey.
Meeting the Pilgrims were Air Commodore Gordon Moulds, Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands and Mr Paul Martinez of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office based in the Falklands and after handing over their passports for processing the Next of Kin boarded busses for the Darwin Cemetery.
On the second and final pilgrimage to honour loved ones the internment of a statue of Our Lady of Lujan took place just prior to Mass. Celebrating Mass were Juan Carlos Romanin SDB Bishop of Rio Gallegos, Fr Vicento Martinez, a retired Argentine Military Chaplain and Fr Peter Norris of St Mary’s Catholic Church in Stanley. By in large the local community stayed away from the Mass, though they were invited by the Argentine Families Commission to attend.
Pilgrims noticeable in attendance this time were the Belgrano family members and widows, one of whom was 18 when she lost her husband. These family members have adopted the graves of unknown soldiers. LCDR John Mascall-Bott accompanied some of the Belgrano families to the water, where they laid flowers and other tributes to their loved ones.
Like last week the pilgrims spent what time was allotted to them at the graves of their loved ones, leaving mementos, saying the rosary and praying. Newly installed is a place for Next of kin to leave plaques in memory of their family members.
A full set of photos was taken but they are private ones taken for Fr. Peter Norris by Juanita Brock. He kindly has allowed all of the media present to have a set but it is up to him to grant permission.
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