In a joint statement by the Bishops of Malta and Gozo today, they referred to the tragedy of events over the past 24 hours, which again saw a loss of lives at sea.

The Bishops expressed their sorrow that this tragedy had been repeated and also their concerns that no concrete measures seem to exist to avoid this happening again in the future.

They expressed their appreciation in the statement for the work and courage of the members of the Armed Forces of Malta.

The Bishops encouraged all Maltese and Gozitans to pray for all those involved and to offer their help to organisations in Malta that were giving assistance to these people.

They also said that they would inform the Bishops from other EU countries of the situation and urge them to pass on to their own Civil Authorities the need for urgency and to for them to commit politically to find practical solutions.

“It is the responsibility of the European Union, which believes in the principles of human dignity and solidarity, together with other countries to see how to accomplish these principles, for the benefit of all people, particularly with those, shows lives are threatened, as is the case of refugees,” the Bishops said.

The Bishops concluded “as stated recently by Cardinal Reinhard Marx, COMECE President, while expressing his deep concern for the situation of refugees and asylum seekers, he said, “This is not the kind of Europe we want.”

Photograph – AFM Press Office.

Permalink: Bishops express concern on lack of concrete measures on migration