A parish in Palma welcomes families who have been left homeless

The Parish of Mare de Déu de Montserrat, in the Rafal district of Palma, is using the Christmas season to highlight what Jesus lacked at birth: a roof over his head. Through a secular ceremony, the community recalls rights that, although universal, do not reach everyone.

Currently, 47 people who had been left homeless live within the church facilities. Among them is Hakima, a woman of Moroccan origin. Ángela, from Bolivia and mother of three children, also lost her home. Tomás and Soledad face a similar family situation.

All of them, like the rest of the residents, express deep gratitude to the parish community. However, a couple who arrived from Uruguay years ago do not rule out leaving the island. In contrast, Santiago and Angy, of Colombian origin and parents of little Abigaíl, born in Mallorca, wish to stay and continue fighting for a dignified life on the island.

Amid the storm created by the housing emergency, this place acts as a beacon of hope within the human dramas experienced every day. Priest Jaume Alemany, promoter of the project, calls for decisive action from public authorities and strongly criticises attitudes of rejection towards homeless people.

With the light coming from Bethlehem and shared among the residents of the space known as Sojorn, the aim is to raise awareness among the population about the real suffering caused by the lack of access to decent housing.