A senior Church leader in Bangkok has called on the faithful to transcend religious boundaries and offer unconditional solidarity to those who are grieving following Sunday’s nightclub fire.
Msgr. Andrew Vissanu Thanya-anant, pastor of St. John Catholic Church – located just 100 meters from the site of the disaster – said the tragedy must not be viewed merely as local news but as an urgent, divine summons for the Church to stand alongside suffering humanity.
The fire, which tore through the Rong Beer Na Ladprao Brewery entertainment venue late Sunday night, July 12, has claimed at least 30 lives and injured dozens more. While official casualty figures remain fluid, the scale of the loss has sent shock waves through the Ladprao neighborhood.
‘Jesus Wept’: A Theology of Presence
In an interview with LiCAS News, Msgr. Vissanu cautioned against offering hasty theological explanations or platitudes to those who have lost loved ones.
“In this hour of deep loss, trying to explain why God allowed this to happen can worsen the pain of the grieving,” Msgr. Vissanu said. “Jesus himself, when he arrived at Lazarus’ tomb, did not begin with a long sermon. Instead, the Gospel records its shortest and most powerful message: ‘Jesus wept.’”
He emphasized that God is not distant from the tragedy.
“He was with those who were terrified in the dark, trying to escape; He was with the rescue workers; and now He is with the families who are weeping,” he said. “The most powerful words we can offer right now are not ‘We have all the answers,’ but simply ‘We are here with you.’”
Compassion Without Borders
Drawing on the parable of the Good Samaritan, Msgr. Vissanu stressed that St. John Catholic Church must serve as a sanctuary of unconditional mercy for the entire community, regardless of religious affiliation. He noted that the vast majority of the victims and their families were likely not Christian, yet human suffering remains universal.
“Death has no religion, tears have no sectarianism, and God’s love has no borders,” Msgr. Vissanu said. “The Good Samaritan did not ask the wounded traveler which group he belonged to before helping him. We must not ask what religion someone practices first. We must only ask: ‘How can we be with you?’”
He also issued a sharp warning against public commentary that seeks to blame the victims for being in an entertainment venue or interprets the disaster as divine retribution. Citing Luke 13:4, in which Jesus rejected the idea that those killed in the collapse of the Tower of Siloam were guiltier than others, Msgr. Vissanu insisted that every life lost was precious.
“These were not just numbers on a casualty list,” he said. “Each was someone’s child, parent, spouse, or friend. Each had a name, a face, and dreams.”
While extending his deepest condolences on behalf of the clergy and parishioners of St. John Catholic Church, Msgr. Vissanu said genuine grief must translate into social responsibility and civic action. He urged authorities to conduct an honest and thorough investigation to prevent future tragedies.
“One of the best ways to respect the deceased is to do everything possible so that no other family has to weep like this again,” he said.
