Pope Francis praises Italian fishers
for ridding the sea of plastic
 |
| Pope Francis meets fishers from Italy's Marche region (Vatican Media) |
The Pope expresses his appreciation for the voluntary work
fishers from the Marche region of Italy are doing to rid the seabed of plastic.
He also urges them to hold firm to their Christian values.
By Lydia O’Kane
Greeting the fishers from San Benedetto del Tronto in the
Marche region of Italy, Pope Francis had words of encouragement for those
gathered, urging them not to lose hope in the face of “inconveniences and
uncertainties” which they face in their work.
Passion and sacrifice
You sail along the Marche coast, he said, “in good and bad
weather to take from the sea what is necessary to live, with so much passion,
so many sacrifices and even some danger. And your loved ones share the
difficulties and the precariousness that this kind of life of yours involves.”
The Pope noted that fishers can sometimes feel tempted by
the desire for a safe job on land. Yet, he added, “those born of the sea cannot
eradicate the sea from their hearts.”
The Pontiff also pointed out that their often “risky and
hard work needs to be valued, supporting your rights and your legitimate
aspirations.”
Fishing for Plastic
During his address, Pope Francis expressed his particular
appreciation for the voluntary work they are doing to rid the seabed of
plastic.
He described this initiative as “very important, both for
the large amount of waste, especially plastic waste” that has been recovered
and hailed the fact that it is already becoming a model in other areas of Italy
and abroad.
The Pope went on to say that operation ‘Fishing for Plastic’
“is an example of how local civil society can and must contribute to tackling
issues of global importance”.
Fishers and the Gospel
Pope Francis described how Jesus' first disciples were their
‘colleagues’, and the Pontiff invited them "to follow him just like they
were setting up their nets on the shore of the Lake of Galilee.”
“I like to think that even today, those of you who are
Christians feel the spiritual presence of the Lord beside you”, he said.
Concluding his address, the Pope urged the fishers present
not to lose their Christian values which are found in helping one another and
helping those in need.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét