Pope Francis prays for seafarers
on Sea Sunday
On the annual commemoration of Sea Sunday, Pope Francis
prays for seafarers, fishermen, and those who work to free the sea from
pollution, and the Vatican releases a message detailing the challenges
seafarers face daily.
By Devin Watkins
Pope Francis at the Sunday Angelus prayed for seafarers,
fishermen, and their families, as the Church commemorates the annual recurrence
of Sea Sunday.
“I pray for them and their families,” he said, “as well
as for the chaplains and volunteers of the Apostleship of the Sea.”
The Pope made special mention “of those who live in unworthy
work situations at sea”.
On a related topic, Pope Francis then expressed his
appreciation for all the people “who are committed to freeing the seas from
pollution.”
What is Sea Sunday?
The Church observes Sea Sunday annually to shine the spotlight on the condition of those who work on the world’s oceans.
A third of all seafarers and fishermen are estimated to be
Catholic, with a large proportion coming from Catholic areas of India and the
Philippines.
They number around 1.2 million, provide over 110 tons of
seafood for consumption, and are responsible for 90 percent of global trade.
Vatican message: Seafarers face many challenges
Also on Sunday, Cardinal Peter Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, released a message for Sea Sunday 2018, detailing the hardships seafarers face daily.
He said they are “forced to live for several months in the
confined space of a vessel, away from their families and loved ones, missing
the most important and meaningful events in their families (birthdays’,
graduations, etc.) and failing to be present during times of trials and
difficulties such as sickness and death.”
Cardinal Turkson said mechanization has reduced turnaround
time in ports to a minimum, leaving crew members with “inadequate personal time
to rest and relax.”
At the same time, chaplains and ship visitors, he said, are
often denied access to vessels in port, and are unable to provide them with
material and spiritual support.
Cardinal Turkson warned about the dangers of violence and
piracy at sea, which, though improving in recent years, requires constant
vigilance.
He also said crews and vessels are sometimes abandoned in
foreign ports far from home.
“Once abandoned the seafarers are left by themselves to
struggle for food, salaries, immigration status and many more issues unless
they are assisted by a welfare organization.”
Cardinal Turkson said the Vatican supports efforts made by
the International Maritime Organization “to prevent and significantly reduce
marine plastic pollution from the shipping sector and in curbing greenhouse gas
emissions from ships”.
Finally, he invoked the “Blessed Mother, Star of the
Sea, to extend her maternal protection to the people of the sea and guide
them from the dangers of the sea to a secure port.”
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