An ecumenical vigil was held in Sion Cathedral one month after the fire that broke out on New Year’s Eve at Le Costellation bar, which claimed the lives of 41 people and injured 115 very young boys and girls. While prayers were being offered, news arrived just yesterday of the 41st victim: an 18-year-old who died in hospital in Zurich last Saturday. The celebration began with a symbolic gesture: the lighting of candles, which the faithful carried to the altar and placed on a long orange cloth. Before addressing those present, Bishop Jean-Marie Lovey of Sion read out a new message from Pope Leo XIV, written specifically for this prayer vigil dedicated to the victims of the Crans-Montana tragedy and to their families. “It is with deep emotion that I address all of you who are gathered here in sorrow and pain, one month after the tragic fire in Crans-Montana that claimed many victims”, the Pope wrote.
“You have lost a loved one, or one of your relatives is still suffering – perhaps for a long time to come – from injuries that will mark them for life. I simply wish to express my closeness and affection to you”.
The celebration was a moment still deeply marked by shock and grief, shaped by silence and by the light of candles. Among those present were Bishop Josef Stubi, Auxiliary Bishop of Basel, and Abbot Alexandre Ineichen of Saint-Maurice, Sara Schulthess, pastor of the Protestant parish of Sion, and Gilles Cavin, President of the Synod of the Evangelical Reformed Church in Switzerland, together with the President of the Valais Synodal Council, Stephan Kronbichler. “All this seeks to express both the need we all feel to know that we are not alone in our pain and suffering, and the consolation of experiencing that we can rely on one another in these difficult moments”, said Bishop Lovey. Sara Schulthess added: “On behalf of the Evangelical Reformed Church, I wish to greet you and to express my gratitude to you for having been able to share this moment together, in prayer, in tears and in hope”.
Also speaking at the celebration was Father Pablo Pico, parish priest of Lens, who shared the experience he lived in the days following the tragedy at the crisis centre set up in Crans-Montana, where he offered spiritual support to the families of the victims during those dramatic moments of waiting, in “that long Good Friday without the light of Easter”. His moving testimony deeply touched the hundreds of people present in the cathedral. “Our gaze strives to go beyond the devastation of the fire”, said Bishop Lovey. “Our gaze seeks to look beyond the clouds in search of a loving and comforting presence, even though the sky is still veiled by the darkness of grief”. Thoughts and prayers also go, above all, to “those who cannot be here, who are geographically distant or unable to share in such a gesture”.
“Parents, families, friends of the deceased or of the injured, we are here with you, for you; you are present in this cathedral and we thank you”, Bishop Lovey stated. “It means so much to be able to pray, to weep and to hope together today”.
“Yes, in sorrow as in the hope of Christ, we are brothers and sisters”, Sara Schulthess emphasised in German.
The orange cloth laid on the steps was covered with candles, which the faithful carefully placed as the cathedral choir sang “Christe lux mundi” by the ecumenical community of Taizé. Side by side, Bishop Lovey and Sara Schulthess alternated in reciting a prayer of blessing after the hymns “La ténèbre n’est pas ténèbre” and “Aber du weisst den Weg” accompanied the faithful on their way towards the altar.
The post Sion, ecumenical vigil for the victims of Crans-Montana. Pope expresses his “closeness and affection” first appeared on AgenSIR.