“The tragedy of Cutro reminds us that the situation of migrants and refugees is the responsibility of everyone.”
On behalf of the International Union of General Superiors, I want to express our deep sorrow at what has been happening these days in Italy following the February 26 shipwreck of migrants near the beach town of Steccato di Cutro close to the town of Crotone. Every day we witness terrible images that grieve us and arouse mixed emotions. We feel outrage at seeing the number of victims growing inexorably, and we experience emotion and indignation at the great number of deaths of innocent men, women, and children, while the generosity of rescuers and the testimony of local people edifies and encourages us to always be on the side of the other.On behalf of the International Union of General Superiors, I want to express our deep sorrow at what has been happening these days in Italy following the February 26 shipwreck of migrants near the beach town of Steccato di Cutro close to the town of Crotone. Every day we witness terrible images that grieve us and arouse mixed emotions. We feel outrage at seeing the number of victims growing inexorably, and we experience emotion and indignation at the great number of deaths of innocent men, women, and children, while the generosity of rescuers and the testimony of local people edifies and encourages us to always be on the side of the other.Along with the controversy over what could have gone differently, we question the value of existence, hospitality and solidarity, while Pope Francis continues to call everyone to fraternity as the core value of true humanity. We are bombarded with opinions while sea rescues of boats at risk continue with hundreds of men and women trying to reach the shores of Italy. But the crammed first-reception centers are incapable of providing an adequate response to an unprecedented migration phenomenon. The data we are given says that between January and February arrivals have doubled, and to stem the growing number, policies stategic are ...... amidst controversy and searches for responsibility. In this social framework, the International Union of General Superiors wants to express its regret at what is happening, because we are aware that we are talking about people with faces and stories ... of our brothers and sisters who in searching for a better tomorrow and hoping for a better future, risk their lives at sea to do so. In this social framework, the International Union of General Superiors wants to express its regret at what is happening, because we are aware that we are talking about people with faces and stories ... of our brothers and sisters who in searching for a better tomorrow and hoping for a better future, risk their lives at sea to do so. The death that takes place in the waters of the Mediterranean grieves us greatly. The victims who lost their lives at sea and, along with them saw their human rights drowned and their hope destroyed, cannot leave us dumbstruck. We have already, on other occasions, expended words. Now the time has come. Their cry cannot leave us indifferent any longer. We want to make their despair heard and be a voice for their pain and their wounded, demeaned and shattered dignity.Humanitarian dramas of this magnitude cannot continue to be tolerated. Laws and economic policies that disregard human rights and condemn people to misery can no longer be tolerated. This tragedy reminds us that the situation of migrants and refugees is everyone’s responsibility. We ask national and European governmental institutions, to “choose life” (cf. Deut. 30:19) by pointing out responsible and humane ways of support and aid, agreeing on humanitarian corridors, promoting equity as a principle of social justice, the basis of peace and friendship among peoples.We cannot forget that sacred history is steeped in exoduses and welcomes. As we ask the Lord for a compassionate heart, capable of genuine pity and contrition for what has happened once again because of human responsibility. we implore God to give us the strength to understand how to intervene, and not to become addicted to these images, but to stand on the side of the weak and recognize the value of the other. Life is precious; it is God’s gift and it is worth the Blood of Christ always and in all ways. We are asked for the commitment and safekeeping of a precious good for all.
Sr. Nadia Coppa, ASC - Presidente UISG
Rome, March 11, 2023
On behalf of the International Union of General Superiors, I want to express our deep sorrow at what has been happening these days in Italy following the February 26 shipwreck of migrants near the beach town of Steccato di Cutro close to the town of Crotone. Every day we witness terrible images that grieve us and arouse mixed emotions. We feel outrage at seeing the number of victims growing inexorably, and we experience emotion and indignation at the great number of deaths of innocent men, women, and children, while the generosity of rescuers and the testimony of local people edifies and encourages us to always be on the side of the other.On behalf of the International Union of General Superiors, I want to express our deep sorrow at what has been happening these days in Italy following the February 26 shipwreck of migrants near the beach town of Steccato di Cutro close to the town of Crotone. Every day we witness terrible images that grieve us and arouse mixed emotions. We feel outrage at seeing the number of victims growing inexorably, and we experience emotion and indignation at the great number of deaths of innocent men, women, and children, while the generosity of rescuers and the testimony of local people edifies and encourages us to always be on the side of the other.Along with the controversy over what could have gone differently, we question the value of existence, hospitality and solidarity, while Pope Francis continues to call everyone to fraternity as the core value of true humanity. We are bombarded with opinions while sea rescues of boats at risk continue with hundreds of men and women trying to reach the shores of Italy. But the crammed first-reception centers are incapable of providing an adequate response to an unprecedented migration phenomenon. The data we are given says that between January and February arrivals have doubled, and to stem the growing number, policies stategic are ...... amidst controversy and searches for responsibility. In this social framework, the International Union of General Superiors wants to express its regret at what is happening, because we are aware that we are talking about people with faces and stories ... of our brothers and sisters who in searching for a better tomorrow and hoping for a better future, risk their lives at sea to do so. In this social framework, the International Union of General Superiors wants to express its regret at what is happening, because we are aware that we are talking about people with faces and stories ... of our brothers and sisters who in searching for a better tomorrow and hoping for a better future, risk their lives at sea to do so. The death that takes place in the waters of the Mediterranean grieves us greatly. The victims who lost their lives at sea and, along with them saw their human rights drowned and their hope destroyed, cannot leave us dumbstruck. We have already, on other occasions, expended words. Now the time has come. Their cry cannot leave us indifferent any longer. We want to make their despair heard and be a voice for their pain and their wounded, demeaned and shattered dignity.Humanitarian dramas of this magnitude cannot continue to be tolerated. Laws and economic policies that disregard human rights and condemn people to misery can no longer be tolerated. This tragedy reminds us that the situation of migrants and refugees is everyone’s responsibility. We ask national and European governmental institutions, to “choose life” (cf. Deut. 30:19) by pointing out responsible and humane ways of support and aid, agreeing on humanitarian corridors, promoting equity as a principle of social justice, the basis of peace and friendship among peoples.We cannot forget that sacred history is steeped in exoduses and welcomes. As we ask the Lord for a compassionate heart, capable of genuine pity and contrition for what has happened once again because of human responsibility. we implore God to give us the strength to understand how to intervene, and not to become addicted to these images, but to stand on the side of the weak and recognize the value of the other. Life is precious; it is God’s gift and it is worth the Blood of Christ always and in all ways. We are asked for the commitment and safekeeping of a precious good for all.
Sr. Nadia Coppa, ASC - Presidente UISG
Rome, March 11, 2023