The bishop of the Diocese of Georgetown, B Bishop Francis Alleyne, OSB , addressed a message of prayer, solidarity, and hope to the people of Guyana following the MV Barima maritime tragedy. In light of the grief the country is experiencing, he invited everyone to stand with the affected families, remain united, and renew their commitment to the protection of all human life.
The Catholic Church in Guyana shares in the grief of the families and communities affected by the tragedy of the MV Barima ferry, which occurred as the vessel was traveling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma in the northwest of the country.
Amid the national mourning, Bishop Francis Alleyne, OSB, of the Diocese of Georgetown, addressed a message to the Catholic faithful and the entire nation, expressing his deep solidarity with those who lost loved ones, the survivors, and all those affected by this tragedy.
“There are no words that can adequately express the gravity, the depth, the pain, the loss, the grief, and the trauma,” said the bishop, acknowledging the impact this event has had not only on the families directly affected but on the entire Guyanese people.
In the Face of Grief, Remaining Close to God
From his chapel, with the image of Christ on the cross, the Virgin Mary, and the tabernacle as a backdrop, Bishop Alleyne invited the people of Guyana to spend these days of mourning in prayer and silence before the mystery of God.
The bishop recalled the image of Christ on the cross as an expression of an “undeserved and premature” death, linking it to the profound grief that unites the entire nation today.
He also turned his gaze toward Mary, the Mother who stood at the foot of the cross, sharing in her Son’s suffering. As he contemplated the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, he invoked her intercession to sustain and accompany the people of Guyana in these moments of anguish.
“In our tradition, we invoke her intercession to guide and sustain us in our own distress,” he noted.
“May our desire be to become more like Christ”
Bishop Alleyne called for a compassionate response to the tragedy, especially toward those who are suffering and find themselves in the most vulnerable situations.
Recalling the example of Jesus, he emphasized that the Christian response to moments like this must be marked by a deep concern for one’s neighbor.
“His own example was one of deep compassion, of deep concern for those who were suffering and for those who were most vulnerable. May our desire be to become more like Christ,” he affirmed.
The bishop also recalled other difficult times Guyana has endured, such as the 2005 floods and the tragedies in Lusignan and Bartica, highlighting how the Guyanese people have historically responded with solidarity, resilience, and determination.
In light of the current situation, he called for those same qualities to be strongly reaffirmed: “May these powerful qualities of our nation shine through at this time.”
A Prayer for the Victims, Families, and Rescue Workers
In his message, the bishop offered a lengthy prayer for those who lost their lives, for the missing, for the survivors, and for the families facing the pain of loss and uncertainty.
“We weep with those from whom loved ones have been taken. And we entrust the deceased to you, O Lord, to your eternal mercy and your loving embrace,” he prayed.
He prayed especially for the families who are grieving, that they may find comfort and strength, and that they may be supported by the solidarity of their communities.
He also expressed his gratitude to the rescue teams, healthcare workers, members of the security forces, volunteers, and all those working on search and rescue efforts and emergency response.
“Bless them for their service, protect them from all evil, and renew their strength,” he asked.
A Call to Protect Every Human Life
The Bishop of Georgetown also offered a prayer for the authorities and for those responsible for the safety and well-being of the population.
He asked that they be guided “with wisdom, integrity, and compassion” and expressed his hope that this painful tragedy would lead to concrete actions to strengthen the protection of people.
“May this tragedy inspire a renewed commitment to protect every human life and ensure that such suffering is prevented whenever possible,” he said.
His words take on special significance in a country where rivers and waterways are essential means of transportation and communication for numerous communities, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
“We Are One People”
One of Bishop Alleyne’s central calls was to preserve national unity in the face of grief and prevent divisions from weakening the solidarity that this moment demands.
“Remove from us every spirit of division and bring us closer to one another with kindness, generosity, and hope,” he said in his prayer.
He also invited Guyanese to stand by one another and share the burden of suffering:
“May we bear one another’s burdens, comfort one another with love, and remember that we are one people, united by our shared humanity and our common destiny.”
In the face of doubts, tears, and pain, he asked God to grant faith, hope, and the confidence that love is stronger than death.
A prayer for Guyana and for those who navigate its waters
At the conclusion of his message, Bishop Francis Alleyne offered a special prayer for the rivers and seas of Guyana and for all those who travel on them daily.
“We ask you, O Lord, to watch over our rivers and our seas and all who travel upon them. Keep them safe, and may your protective hand accompany every journey,” he prayed.
Finally, he commended those who lost their lives to God’s mercy and asked for strength for the entire nation:
“May the souls of those who have passed away rest in peace, and may perpetual light shine upon them. Bless our nation, O Lord. Heal our wounds, strengthen our hearts, and guide Guyana forward with justice, compassion, and peace.”
From the Amazon and in a spirit of ecclesial communion, this appeal invites us to accompany the people of Guyana with prayer and solidarity, particularly the families and communities who today mourn their loved ones, keeping hope alive in the midst of their grief.