"We must dare to ask for help without being ashamed. And we must dare to listen to others' cries for help."
Every seat was filled at the memorial service, held in Sätuna Church in Märsta. Both children and adults had come, to light candles and honour the memories of the murdered children. Pastor Ann-Marie Johansson had put together several psalms she thought appropriate for the situation, including "Rock of ages, cleft for me."
During the ceremony, she asked the question: "How should we honour the memory of these boys?" The answer was to learn to ask for help, and heed calls for help when we perceive them.
"Sometimes the calls may be weak, uncertain, or inarticulate, but we must learn to listen, and ask ourselves, 'What was this person trying to express?'" said Ann-Marie Johansson to news agency TT after the ceremony.
But the responsibility is two-sided.
"When someone feels that 'this won't work any longer', they too must be able to see that they're losing their balance."
If a call for help doesn't feel heard, don't give up, suggested Ann-Marie Johansson.
"Sometimes we fail in asking for help, but then we must try again."
After the ceremony, many churchgoers continued down to the water.
The two boys, aged four and eight, were found dead in the waters of a Sigtuna lake on September 19. Their mother confessed to having killed them on Thursday.
Comments