“You cannot go out on the street on Holy Tuesday in any way”

Calvary’s statement last Thursday announcing that they would not be able to leave on Holy Tuesday highlighted the problems of a brotherhood that has spent several years without a stable governing body. Several experts appointed by the episcopal delegation try to redirect the situation. Among them, Pedro Arsenio Collado. Seni has been a penitent since he was a child.

-What role do you have now in El Calvario?

–Advice from the episcopal delegation of brotherhoods and fraternities from the town hall that was held in Mérida on February 21. I collaborate with Francisco Gallardo and José Luis García. They are responsible. These are two people with experience in both Badajoz and Jerez Holy Week and I collaborate because I know the brotherhood. I have since I was a child.

-What is your function?

-The goal we set ourselves on February 21 was to bring the brotherhood to the streets this Holy Week as dignified as possible. And once it is over, call elections so that a government body that works with stability and returns to normalcy comes out of that process.

-Why can’t you go out on Holy Tuesday?

We don’t have time or infrastructure. We no longer have room to hire bands according to the prestige that our Holy Tuesday requires. Perhaps we could have come, hurrying a lot, to count on the costaleros. But we weren’t sure either and it was complicated. A four-step procession like the one we carry requires many people and more time. And without forgetting that we went out in a Holy Week with an international stamp. The first thing we have on hand to take out the procession is not worth it. You cannot go out in any way to the street.

–Why do they keep Thursday and Friday?

–They require less infrastructure than we can reach. The morning of Holy Thursday we go without a band. It accompanies the Gregorian chant choir of the brotherhood. And on Good Friday we have the Mérida Municipal Band. It is the official procession and your commitment to us is permanent. There is no need to look for a group on the margin.

–With the decision already made, what path do you take now?

-The first thing we want is that both the members of the brotherhood and the rest of the fellow members of Mérida understand such a painful decision. It has not been done for pleasure. It has been very thoughtful. The delegates who currently manage El Calvario have had no other choice. It was valued and it was considered not to go out any day, but we wanted to minimize the damage and we realized that it was worth the effort for Thursday and Friday.

Is there a different motivation this time?

–We have been in a very strange situation in the brotherhood for a long time. People are looking forward to Easter. The penitents need to fulfill their promise and accompany their holders. And that we will have.

-In the statement that you released, you say that it is time for everyone to help, how can you do it?

–Accompanying its headlines and seeing the needs that the brotherhood has, which are many. Whoever wants to push, let him push, and whoever doesn’t want to, let him move away, nothing more.

–What does Calvary contribute to Holy Week in Mérida?

We are the oldest. Centenary. One hundred twenty-four years behind us. It’s very hard, but if you take the reins of the brotherhood on February 21, a week before Lent, you have very little margin.

– Do you feel the support of the Merida Brotherhood Board?

-They have been in all our meetings and from the Board they have already told us that they understand the decision due to the exceptional situation we are going through.

– What would you say to those who stand for election?

-That they have patience and that they know how to listen to others.