During the Congress of the Guild of the Holy Name of God held in Ghasri Parish, Mgr Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo, spoke about today’s news of the tragic death of so many hundreds of immigrants after their boat capsized at sea.

Bishop Mario Grech said in a statement this evening that, “the human tragedy of today fills us with both regret and anger at the same time. While showing solidarity with the families that are now grieving for the loss of those who started their journey, filled with hopes for their future life, and have now found themselves buried at the sea, we deplore any kind of business that is conducted in this saga of trafficking in persons; at the same time we express our disbelief at the bold indifference shown by the European and International community.”

“What is happening in the Mediterranean is a massacre that should cause outrage to human civilization. The sins of omission are as grave as the sins of those who are organising the journey of death,” Bishop Grech said.

“On behalf of the Christian community in Gozo, we do not just make an impassioned appeal to Europe, which is now seen as tired and deficient, but to the International community, particularly the United Nations, because now the human drama that is unfolding is intensifying.”

Bishop Grech concluded by saying, “I want to express my appreciation to our Civil Authorities for their commitment in this area and to those engaged working in the rescue, even if sometimes it involves great risks.”

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