U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger recently announced that a debris field consistent with the implosion of the missing OceanGate submersible had been found, telling reporters, “The debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber. Upon this determination, we immediately notified the families. On behalf of the United States Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families.”
Faith leaders across the country reacted to the depressing news, expressing sympathy for the families and messages of faith in the face of a horrible tragedy. For example, Alex McFarland of Greensboro, NC, told Fox News Digital, “Heartfelt condolences and sympathy go out to the families of the five lives tragically lost in the failed OceanGate submersible accident. Since Sunday evening, people around the world followed this story with prayerful concern. How ironic is it that 111 years after the sinking of the Titanic, this shipwreck is still claiming human lives.”
McFarland added, “It must be said that the OceanGate tragedy is a vivid reminder of how precious human life is” before going on to decry hubris and remind people that pride is a sin and can lead to disaster, saying, “When Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate, boasted about the abilities of his Titan submersible and ignored warnings from those concerned about its sea worthiness, several warned him about the similar hubris of those who built the Titanic a century prior.”
He then encouraged people to remember that every moment of every day is a gift from God that shouldn’t be thrown away pointlessly, saying, “We need to remember that every day is a gift from God — and we all will one day face Him. We should not trifle with this sacred gift called life.”
Famed Evangelist Rev. Franklin Graham spoke out about the disaster as well, writing on Facebook about the disaster and finding God. He did so before the Coast Guard’s debris field announcement, encouraging his followers to pray for those on the submarine. He wrote: “The world is watching as the search continues for the OceanGate Titan, a submersible vessel that is lost in the depths of the sea with five souls on board. Reports say there is less than 24 hours of oxygen left, and some say the chances are very slim for recovering it. Pray for the passengers. We know that even in the depths of the sea, God is there.”
Continuing, Rev. Graham wrote that many people are separated from God but can find him and be lifted out of the depths of their sin, writing, “There are billions of people who are lost and separated from God. But there is hope, because Jesus Christ came to save us from the depths of sin. He took our sins to the cross, died, was buried, and God raised Him to life on the third day so that we could have the hope of eternal life with Him—if we would turn from our sins and put our faith in Christ.”
Joining them was the CEO of National Religious Broadcasters, who wrote in an emailed statement to Fox News Digital, “As a Navy veteran, I know firsthand that the ocean sometimes can be unforgiving — and that exploration comes with risk. Our prayers and thoughts go out to the families of those lost in the Titan submarine tragedy.” He added, “May God give them calm seas and lead them to find healing and peace in the midst of their pain.“
"*" indicates required fields