Poland gives thanks for help in trawler tragedy
Two of the trawler’s crew members are still missing (one of them, Jan Sankowski, is from Poland) and one, Kriston Pawtowski (also from Poland), has been rescued.
We are grateful to the hundreds of people who took part in the massive search operation in worsening weather. We appreciate that over a dozen trawlers were involved, as well as the air and sea helicopter from Waterford, RNLI lifeboat crews, the LÉ Ciara and LÉ Eithne.
We are obliged to all the Irish friends for their involvement, precious assistance and extraordinary endeavours to search for and rescue the Polish crew members and help their families in this difficult time.
Father O’Callaghan was at the centre of the ‘spiritual activities’. He organised a prayer service and led the assistance efforts to the families.
Ireland, as usual, has demonstrated how to act swiftly and properly under difficult circumstances, in the spirit of Christian brotherhood. We felt comforted by the solidarity shown by the people of Ballycotton and the Polish people of east Cork with the victims’ families.
As Father O’Callaghan wrote to me: “It is a strange but significant coincidence that on the very week, when a year ago the whole world seemed to keep watch and vigil at the bedside of the Great Pope John Paul II, the successor of the first Fisherman whom Jesus called, so many are now watching and searching for two fishermen whom Jesus also seems to have called to follow Him.”
Thank you Ballycotton; thank you Ireland for acting in Christian brotherhood and European human solidarity.
Witold Sobków
Polish Ambassador
5 Ailesbury Rd
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
