The Need for Concrete Action

12th October 2013

In the light of the incidents which occurred over the last few hours, in which several lives were lost in the surrounding seas, the Bishops of Malta and Gozo wish to:

• express their regret that such an incident has repeated itself and that no plan of action is envisaged in order to impede any further tragedies;

• express their appreciation for the courageous action taken by the members of the Armed Forces of Malta to save these lives, as well as the commitment undertaken by the Civil Authorities in dealing with this emergency;

• encourage the people of Malta and Gozo to pray for all those involved, and to offer their assistance to the organisations who provide aid to these persons in our country;

• inform their brother Bishops in the member countries of the European Union, to bring to the attention of the Civil Authorities, the urgency of committing themselves in the political sphere, so that practical solutions may be found as soon as possible;

It is the responsibility of the European Union, to uphold the principles of human dignity and of solidarity, and together with other countries try and find ways and means of putting these principles into action for the benefit of all men, particularly those whose lives are endangered, as in the case of refugees. As stated recently by Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the President of COMECE, today’s Europe “is not the Europe we want”.

✠ MARIO GRECH 
Bishop of Gozo
President of the Maltese Episcopal Conference

✠ PAUL CREMONA O.P.
Archbishop of Malta

✠ CHARLES J. SCICLUNA
Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar General of Malta