With grieving hearts, we mourn the lives lost in the MV Barima tragedy and stand in prayerful solidarity with the families, survivors, and all who continue to carry the pain of this loss.
But mourning alone is not enough. Our faith does not permit us to become accustomed to preventable suffering or to accept tragedy as inevitable. Jesus teaches us that when we care for the least among us, we care for Him: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).
Every life lost is a sacred life. Every person placed at risk is a call to action. We must ask difficult questions and demand responsible stewardship from all who are entrusted with the safety and well-being of our people. Accountability, transparency, and decisive action are not optional—they are moral responsibilities.
After the Mahdia Secondary School Dormitory Fire, we declared “Never again.” Today, we must ask whether those words have truly become a commitment or only a response spoken in moments of grief. A nation that values life must act before tragedy strikes, not only after lives have been taken.
The Church will continue to pray, accompany those who suffer, and bring comfort to those who mourn. But we also proclaim the call of the Gospel: to defend the vulnerable, to seek justice, and to ensure that every person is treated with the dignity given by God.
May the memory of those who have died move us from sorrow to action, from sympathy to responsibility, and from promises to lasting change.
“What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
