The pilgrimage of the Virgin of La Paloma from Málaga to Madrid is still pending approval from the Málaga Bishopric. The trip is ruled out for October and may take place in 2027.
The Brotherhood of the Virgin of La Paloma from Málaga has not yet received a formal response from the Málaga Bishopric regarding its proposal to transfer the image to Madrid, according to Diario Sur. The initiative, which had been considered for this coming October, is now ruled out for that date and may take place throughout 2027.
The Archdiocese of Madrid remains willing to host the image and organise worship and a processional outing through its streets. The Cardinal Archbishop of Madrid, José Cobo, sent an invitation to the Bishop of Málaga, José Antonio Satué, to make the transfer a reality, as desired by the brotherhood of La Paloma.
In the Madrid diocese, there is hope that the response from the Málaga Bishopric will be positive, so that the event can take place on a date to be determined throughout next year. However, the Málaga diocese has confirmed that the brotherhood has not yet formally received a response to its proposal, which must be supervised by those responsible for the delegation of Brotherhoods and Cofradías.
The relationship between the Brotherhood of La Paloma and Madrid has a history of over eighty years and has grown in recent decades. It is a tradition for a representation from the Madrid City Council, honorary elder brother, led by its mayor, to be present at the procession on Holy Wednesday. The image has held the medal of honour of the Villa of Madrid since 1995.
The current mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, has continued this tradition and strengthened ties with the brotherhood under the leadership of Diego Hermoso as elder brother, who in 2021 awarded him the gold medal of the corporation, coinciding with the extraordinary procession that the Virgin held on October 23 of that year for the fiftieth anniversary of her blessing.
According to SUR, Martínez-Almeida's interest in this project is very high, as his intention is to enhance the brotherhood world and Holy Week in Madrid. The Madrid City Council would be willing to assist in the logistics for a hypothetical procession of the Virgin of La Paloma through the capital's streets on the throne with which she travels Málaga every Holy Wednesday.
It is possible that in the coming weeks it will be confirmed whether the trip to Madrid can take place. If approved by the brotherhood and the Bishopric, the image would take over from the Virgin of Hope, who last year pilgrimaged to Rome to participate in the Jubilee procession of the Brotherhoods alongside the Christ of Expiration from Seville.
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