Packed church, in the parish of San Martino, in the city center, for the prayer mass in memory of the migrants who died during their journey to escape from their countries of origin. Organized by the community of Sant’Egidio on the occasion of World Refugee Day, last June 21st, the vigil was presided over by the bishop of Treviso, Msgr. Michele Tomasi. Also present were Don Mario Salviato, parish priest of San Martino and the Duomo, and Father Fabio Traversari, pastor of Venice of the Waldensian Church. Many refugees and asylum seekers were present. In addition to several guests from the Serena barracks, there were also three families of refugees who arrived in our territory thanks to the humanitarian corridors promoted by the community of Sant’Egidio and welcomed in the communities of Monigo, Ponzano and San Martino itself. The moment in which the names, those we know, of the victims of the fake travel tragedies in the last year were read was dramatic and moving, including the last one, which cost the lives of over sixty people, including twenty-six children, off our coasts.
Bishop Tomasi, in his homily, commenting on the Gospel passage of the Tempest Calmed, appealed to everyone, urging them to listen to the cry of these people, and calling each of us to our own responsibilities: “That cry must pass through our ears. It is not in our power to calm the storm, but to prevent that boat from being a place of death, yes. Each one with his or her own experience, with his or her own responsibility. We cannot back down. It is not a problem of the storm, of the sea, it is a problem of justice, of the oppression of man by man, of indifference to the life of brothers and sisters: it is enough that we do not know them, it is enough that they do not disturb. It is a problem of justice, to allow those who do not want to escape, to live peacefully in the place where they were born”. (Man.Ma.)
