The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
We miss Madeleine every second, says Kate McCann
ten years: Algarve congregation reflects on ‘stolen time’
The family of Madeleine McCann have said they “miss her every second” as they reflect on 10 years without her.
Kate McCann wrote a letter to the people of Praia da Luz yesterday, May 3, one decade after her daughter vanished from their holiday apartment in the Algarve village.
Members of the congregation at the Church of Nossa Senhora da Luz wept as the letter from Mrs McCann was read at a special service.
Mrs McCann wrote: “To our dear friends. Ten years without Madeleine. If I’d let that thought even enter my head back in May 2007, I wouldn’t have lasted another day.”
She added: “Despite the evil and hurt that has come our way, we have been very fortunate, having witnessed and experienced goodness and kindness in great abundance during this long and difficult period of ‘stolen’ time.”
The letter was read at the 40-minute service by Susan Hubbard, a close friend of Mrs McCann.
Mrs Hubbard’s husband, Father Haynes Hubbard, was the priest at the church at about the time Madeleine went missing.
A minute’s silence was held for Madeleine and for all missing children at the start of the service, which is held at the church each year.
Mrs Hubbard said Mrs McCann had asked for a message of hope, and she read the scripture Isaiah 40 verses 3-8 and 28-31.
Psalm 23, The Lord Is My Shepherd, was read and songs were also sung in English and Portuguese.
Father Hubbard told the congregation: “You might remember the first week after Madeleine was taken.
“We gathered here in this church and we lit this candle.
“We said that the light that this candle offers will not be put out.
“Then we went home and we remembered Madeleine in our prayers.
“And here we are, 10 years later, remembering Madeleine in our prayers.
“Madeleine and all children who are in need of our prayers are held up in hope.
“We hold Madeleine in our hearts and all children who are lost.
“We pray for them.”