Refugee Boat Installed in Cologne Cathedral

A boat carrying refugees bound for Malta arrived at Cologne Cathedral in Germany on the day of “Corpus Christi” after traveling 2,000 kilometers and was installed in the cathedral’s grounds. The aim of this action was announced as gaining the support of believers for refugees. Cologne Cathedral is one of the largest cathedrals in the world and is visited by thousands of people daily.

German Catholic officials have stated regarding the motives behind installing the refugee boat at Cologne Cathedral that they want to familiarize German people and tourists with the suffering that refugees endure on their way to Europe. The boat has an area of only 17 meters, and according to Express newspaper reports, human traffickers crammed 85 people into it before throwing them into the ocean waters.

Refugees who had to cling to each other in the boat had no awning against the sun’s rays, and their space was so cramped that they could not even bring sufficient water and food. Since 2000, 26,000 people have drowned in such boats, but their use by traffickers on African coasts continues.

During this year’s Corpus Christi celebration, one of the holiest and most important holidays of Catholics worldwide, the refugee boat was first paraded through the central streets of Cologne and then installed in the southern grounds of Cologne Cathedral. Catholic officials hope that by placing this boat in the cathedral, they can raise substantial financial aid for the MOAS project, which provides support to refugees in Malta.

According to a Catholic official, the refugee boat will remain at Cologne Cathedral until September of this year and will then be transferred to other Christian pilgrimage sites, staying for a period in each location.

Source: RFI