The decision to seal the building, which is owned by the Bishopric of Lleida and listed as a Local Cultural Asset of Interest, was made for public health and safety reasons. Ivan Fernàndez, the EMD Mayor, explained that while the ground floor was recently used for parish activities, the first floor had been closed for some time and showed significant roof damage.
“"We saw that the floor was full of droppings and pigeons, many of them dead, and that the roof was partially collapsed, which is a risk both structurally and for public health."
The sealing followed a joint inspection with the Guàrdia Urbana (Local Police) and Agents Rurals (Rural Agents), which confirmed the extent of the unsanitary conditions and the imminent danger. Both the Paeria (Lleida City Council) and the Guàrdia Urbana are currently preparing detailed technical reports on the property's condition.
Once the technical reports are finalized, the Raimat EMD will formally request that the Bishopric of Lleida intervene immediately and carry out a comprehensive restoration project. Fernàndez noted that a previous application for funding from the Generalitat (Catalan Government) to rehabilitate the ecclesiastical building failed to secure the necessary score for the grant.
