In an atmosphere full of sadness, melancholy, longing and memories, the relatives of Orlando Jorge Mera and workers of Ministry of Environment and Natural Resourcesheld a mass in memory of the deceased minister.
The lobby and stairs of the organization were full of workers, who, carrying a white rose, recalled the moments they lived with Jorge Mera since he took office on August 17, 2020.
Hector Rafael Rodriguezpresident of the National Commission for Environmental Ecological Pastoral Care and vice president of the Dominican Episcopate Conference, officiated at the Eucharist where the minister’s wife and children were present.
Rodríguez indicated that in recent weeks the media have collected a series of violent events that not only include the shooting death of the minister by a supposed friend, but the incident recorded in Santiago where an official shot at other people for no apparent reason.
In this sense, when offering a few words during the Eucharist, Bishop of La Vega defined Orlando Jorge Meraas a simple, honest and decent man.
“A public servant, whose decision not to compromise before dishonest, indecent proposals, tainted by morality and the law, unfortunately cost him his life”expressed the bishop during the mass.
He stated that in general this type of betrayal is the “payment that the sinful world gives” to upright and honest people who refuse to give in to indecent proposals.
He expressed that the fateful event where Jorge Mera lost his life challenges other people to learn a lesson, that it is necessary to take care of violence today.
He stated that the increase in the “spiral of violence” that is shaking the country and that psychologically and emotionally affects everyone is striking.
“I don’t work here (Ministry of the Environment), but I had several meetings with the minister and I haven’t quite digested this,” said the religious.
On her side, Cristiana de la Rosa, in charge of Restoration of Ecosystems, dedicated a few words to the assassinated ministeremphasizing that, upon assuming command of the Ministry of the Environment, Jorge Mera made a commitment to lead that body with integrity, an action that he fulfilled until this past Monday when he was shot to death in his office.
“His love for natural resources and biodiversity, from bees, butterflies, birds, turtles, manatees, parrotfish, sharks and even humpback whales. His humility, dedication and dedication are the legacy that the minister leaves us today”Christian of the RoseResponsible for Restoration of Ecosystems of the Ministry of Environment“
He indicated that just as Jesus was betrayed by his friends and his blood was shed on the cross for the forgiveness of the sins of humanity, Jorge Mera was betrayed by one of his friends and his blood was shed in the ministry.
While his son, Orlando Jorge Villegasthanked the signs of love that have been dedicated to his father and highlighted that in just two years at the head of the Ministry of the Environment he achieved multiple goals and negotiated various plans.
He recalled that in each province that his father visited, he met with representatives of the churches, neighborhood associations, environmentalists and businessmen.
He stated that his father was a man who listened to everyone and that is how he should be remembered.
To the bishop to give the final message during the mass, a collective applause was made to Jorge Mera for the dedication and passion with which he performed his duties at the head of the ministry from August 17, 2020 to June 6, 2022.
After the Eucharist, a tree was planted in the garden of the ministrythis with the aim of remembering the teachings of Jorge Mera, who, according to information given by the organization in the almost two years he was in charge, promoted reforestation days, where more than 10 million trees were planted.
psychological accompaniment
Similarly, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources informed that to accompany all the collaborators, a Crisis Intervention team from the Universidad Iberoamericana (Unibe), andwill be from next Tuesday 14 providing a group therapy to help all employees in this difficult time.
Likewise, a team of psychologists will provide individual attention to those people in the institutions who require it, in order to offer emotional support and help, to face any situation that affects them, aimed at managing stress and anxiety that may arise. in cases of this nature.
Graduated in Social Communication, graduated from the UASD and journalist in Diario Libre.