Welcome to the incredible journey of the first migrant search-and-rescue mission jointly organized by the Italian Bishops’ Migrantes Foundation! As the Mare Jonio returns to port in Sicily, two remarkable individuals, Fr. Alessandro Messina and Donatella D’Anna, share their experiences of assisting people risking their lives to cross the Mediterranean Sea.
On August 24-25, the Mare Jonio was involved in the rescue of 182 migrants in the Mediterranean. Operated by the humanitarian organization Mediterranea Saving Humans, the vessel was joined by a support boat financed by the Italian Bishops’ Migrantes Foundation for the first time. Onboard were Fr. Alessandro Messina, the director of Migrantes for the Diocese of Fano, and Donatella D’Anna, director of Migrantes in the Diocese of Caltanissetta, central Sicily.
After the support boat returned to land, Vatican News had the opportunity to speak with both directors about their impactful experience and their hopes for future collaboration between Migrantes and Mediterranea.
Joy and Suffering
Reflecting on the past few days, both Ms. D’Anna and Fr. Alessandro shared how the mission had changed them. Ms. D’Anna, who closely works with migrants in central Sicily, expressed her sadness at witnessing the struggles firsthand, despite being familiar with their stories in her role. On the other hand, Don Sandro highlighted the happiness in the migrants’ eyes as they reached safety aboard the Mare Jonio, emphasizing that such moments leave a lasting impact.
Church as ‘Witness and Spokesperson’
Don Sandro elaborated on how the joint Mediterranea-Migrantes mission came to be, tracing its origins back to a personal meeting with Luca Casarini, the founder of Mediterranea. The idea of collaboration was born out of a desire to raise awareness within the Church and society regarding the plight of migrants in the Mediterranean. Both directors emphasized the importance of the Church being a witness to and spokesperson for this ongoing humanitarian crisis.
A Shared Love for Humanity
Looking to the future, both directors envision a deeper collaboration between Migrantes and Mediterranea, aiming to address the root causes of migration and facilitate a more welcoming and inclusive society. Don Sandro emphasized the need to build a civilization of love where everyone has a place, echoing Pope Francis’ message of solidarity and compassion. Ms. D’Anna highlighted the necessity of reforming the visa system to prevent migrants from feeling compelled to embark on dangerous journeys.
Their mission has reinforced their belief in embracing a universal love for humanity, transcending religious and cultural boundaries. As Don Sandro beautifully put it, “Christ is human, and what Jesus teaches me is love for all humankind.” Let us join hands in fostering a world where compassion knows no borders and where every individual is valued and welcomed with open arms.
