Archbishop baptises MOAS ship as ‘New Door of Mercy’

Archbishop Charles Scicluna visited the ‘Phoenix’ vessel used by the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) docked in Marsa.

Scicluna met with MOAS founders Christopher and Regina Catrambone, the crew of the vessel and a number of volunteers during the visit. He celebrated mass and blessed the crew of the Phoenix a few days ahead of the start of the MOAS mission in the Mediterranean this year. Scicluna also presented a donation from his own personal funds to the foundation.

“I only have a few words to share, to leave this to the beauty of the liturgy, especially on this ship, which I baptised as a ‘New Door of Mercy’. The Holy Father has proclaimed ‘A Year of Mercy’ and I strongly believe that this is the ship of mercy,” Scicluna said during the service.

He spoke about how Regina had showed him the door where people come through.

“That is also a door of mercy, it is a door of life, and the Lord blesses that door and whatever you do in saving lives.”

“This is a high point in being human, giving our lives, what we have and who we are, to be companions to other people. May your example be a shining light to all,” he added.