Prayers for victims of ferry disaster

The country “is in a state of great sorrow and anxiety,” the president of South Korea’s bishops’ conference said following the capsizing of the Sewol ferry off the south-east coast of the country on 16 April, writes Abigail Frymann.

The ferry had been carrying 476 people, mainly secondary school pupils. Some 174 passengers were rescued but as The Tablet went to press, the death toll stood at 128 and was expected to rise.

Pope Francis, who is to visit South Korea in August, tweeted on Saturday: “Please join me in praying for the victims of the ferry disaster in Korea and their families.”

Church groups and charities provided bedding, food, toiletries and medical supplies to thousands of relatives who have set up camp in a vast sports hall on the southern island of Jindo.