JAÉN, Spain.
On April 29, at Cathedral Square in Jaén, an emotional ceremony was held in memory of the recently deceased immigrants in the Mediterranean Sea as they tried to arrive in Europe. The event was organized by Jaen’s Rajab Project, the Secretariat for Migration, HOAC, Jaén “Acoge,” Amnesty International, and other organizations. Juan Cózar Olmo, Project Rajab Volunteer writes about the experience.
Fr. Juan Francisco Martinez Rojas, vicar general of the diocese, along with representatives of the Muslim and Hindu communities presided the ceremony. More than 200 people attended.
A tragedy that is repeated
While in the Old Continent our consciences slept quietly, and our ambitions were agitated thinking about how to solve the material problems caused by the recent crisis, more than 900 people lost their lives drowning their fears and dreams in one of the largest cemeteries in the world, the Mediterranean Sea.
This is the worst immigration tragedy in recent history in the Mediterranean, even worse than the one in Lampedusa in October 2013, where nearly 400 people were killed before arriving in Europe, embarrassing the entire international community and highlighting the failure of European migration policies.
Two years later, far from seeking solutions, the drama has worsened significantly. In recent days more than 1,000 people have died. So far this year we can account for a number of deaths ten times higher than during the same period of 2014.
The answer from European politicians has been inadequate, disappointing and worrying. The EU is responding to this humanitarian challenge with inadequate police responses and shielding borders, instead of addressing the causes of this forced migration and creating safe alternatives for the peoples involved.
In dealing with this issue, politicians in Brussels tend to resolve to strengthen Frontex to prevent irregular immigration rather than rethink the effectiveness of existing policies or provide protection for the helpless victims of this situation.
A large group of people gathered to sing, pray, mourn, and remember with the greatest respect the many immigrants who have lost their lives this year looking for a better world, security, and the opportunity to "be happy."
After some songs, members of the convening organizations proceeded to read statements. The Rajab Project for immigrant support reflected in small groups. Some reflections of volunteers and students were written on small papers and placed on a map of Africa, located on the door of the cathedral.
A Senegalese student from one of our classes is from the same village as 13 of those who died in the latest tragedy. Being able to place names and faces on some of the victims made the experience personal and powerful.
During the event, at Santa María Square, where Pedro Poveda walked so often, we prayed to God Father-Mother, imploring God’s tenderness for his beloved children recently deceased. We used readings from Genesis (12: 1-5) and from the Koran: "God is greater. I bear witness that there is no god but God. Come to prayer. Come to salvation. Prayer is better than sleep. There is no god but God."
The event continued with a rite of water. In pairs, in reconciliation and mutual blessing, we gave each other water. With this symbol we wanted to honor those who have died in the Mediterranean and denounce the indifference in our satisfied countries.
We offered flowers and candles remembering and giving thanks for the lives of these immigrant brothers and we placed them on a small altar by the doors of the Cathedral. Mother Church welcomed into its ranks many lives condemned to exclusion, to live, and die in our peripheries.
At the end we made a commitment to establish in Jaen a Platform of Solidarity with the Immigrant to bring together civil and religious associations as well as individuals that work to improve the dignity of our brothers and sisters.
Those who participated in the prayer were filled with emotion; they knew how to be welcoming and compassionate in the face of so much drama and pain at the entrance gate of our country and Europe.
The gathering of Catholic, Muslim and Hindu religious institutions, and civil associations give us a push to move forward along the path of the Gospel, combining efforts and networking with people who have similar projects to foster respect for the dignity of people and the defense of Human Rights.
As we prepare for the next Assembly of the Associations of the TA, this moment of faith strengthens us in our doubts and we feel confirmed that we need to continue walking with immigrants. We recognize them and the richness of their cultures as well as their experiences a gift of God in the lives of people who have been collaborating on the Rajab Project for six years, living the same experiences.
Attached is a Pdf document with the texts used in the ceremony.
Juan Cózar Olmo
Rajab Project, Jaén