[Gocamino] NO Botafumeiro; pilvgrim fined; "Pillgrims without Faith " new book; Obradoiro encounters

[blaroli at aol.com]

Hi Steve,

The rope that holds the Botafumeiro is weaved with strands of steel and other alloys and it is not easy to make.  In 1999, after twenty years of service, the rope had to be replaced after the Botafumeiro almost fell.  1999 was a Xacobean Holy Year and the first time that the Botafumeiro was used at every pilgrims' mass during the summer.  The replacement rope, donated by Pescanova,  lasted until 2004, another Holy Year, when it became frayed and was replaced with the last one, also made and donated by the same people. 
As mentioned, this rope was made thicker and its rubbing against the sustaining ring, to maintain the precise and delicate equilibrium used to make the Botafumeiro fly since 1554, damaged it.
I should think that the people at the Archdiocese will be far more cautious this time. The new rope is  being made in Valencia and it will be paid for.  

The Archdiocese has said that it won't take long. 
The guys who do the pulling of the rope train for years and years, and their job often is passed from father to son. Because they get paid for what they do, (the job is too delicate to leave to others) and free their availability during the summer for such a purpose, I should think that the Archdiocese will see to it  that the Botafumeiro will go aloft as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, those of you who can't wait, may see the Botafumeiro in flight, and the working of the ropes in two videos which were made by two pilgrims ideally situated in the Cathedral to make the tapes. 
Go you www.youtube.com  then type "Botafumeiro" in the search box. When the selections come up, look for the video posted by SrJuanon (4 min.32sec.) and the one posted by PeterQuinto (3 min. 52 sec.). You'll like them....really.

Hugs!
    

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