Pope Francis grieves for sea mishap victims

CEBU, Philippines - Pope Francis expressed his grief for the victims and families affected by the tragic sea vessel collision involving MV St. Thomas Aquinas 1 and Sulpicio Express Siete in Lauis Ledge off Talisay last Friday night.

He sent a telegram of condolence addressing it to Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, which was signed by Cardinal Secretary of State, Tarcisio Bertone.

According to the Vatican Radio website, the Pope was saddened by the fatalities of the ill-fated passenger ship as well as to the families of the victims.

The Holy Father assured he will pray for the victims and for the strength and comfort of their grieving families.

  â€œHis Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life resulting from the ferry boat accident off the central port of Cebu. He assures all affected of his closeness in prayer and commends the victims to the loving mercy of Almighty God. The Holy Father invokes divine strength and comfort upon the grieving families, the injured and those involved in the rescue efforts,” the telegram states.

Monsignor Esteban Binghay, Episcopal vicar of the Archdiocese of Cebu, said that the accident is a wake-up call for everyone to be extra careful especially when there are lives at stake.

 â€œWake-up call ni for all of us, maka-learn ta og leksyon ani nga panghitabo. Kinahanglan gyud extra careful, kay kinabuhi sa ubang tawo ang ilang gidala. Kinahanglan mapanalipdan nato ang ubang tawo. (This is a wake-up call for all of us to learn a lesson from this incident. There is a need to be extra careful because people’s lives depend on them. We must protect our fellow men),” Binghay told The Freeman.

 Binghay encouraged everyone to pray for the victims and their families.

 â€œAtong i-ampo ang mga nangamatay na ug ang pamilya sa mga nangamatay nga mopadayon sila sa ilang mga gimbuhaton ug makabaton og kusog nga mo-survive despite sa nahitabo sa ilang mga minahal sa kinabuhi, (Let us pray for those who died and for their families to continue and have the strength to survive even with the tragedy that affected them and their loved ones),” Binghay said. — (FREEMAN)