The Church in the Maritime World

Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, Vatican City No. 77, 2002/II

The Apostleship of the Sea, an unusual missionary « worksite »

The World of the Sea, Sea and Migration, Sea and Tourism, was the theme of the 15th Ple- nary Meeting of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peo- ple, held in the offices of the Dicastery from Monday 29th April to May 1st, 2002. The Members and Consultors present, a total of 30 persons, were Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, priests, a deacon and lay-people from various nations around the world.

Inside .... Address of John Paul II to the Members of the 15th Plenary Meeting of the Pontifical Council page 2 Sea-related Professions and Globalization 6 Managing cultural diversity 9 A few words on the place held by Apostolatus Maris within the Pontifical Council 11 Apostolatus Maris no. 77, 2002/II

Address of John Paul II to the Members of the 15th Plenary Meeting of the Pontifical Council

Dear Brothers in the Episcopate and in the Priesthood, Dear Brothers and Sisters, 1. I am pleased to give you a cordial welcome on the occasion of the Plenary Meeting of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, whose theme is "the world of the sea". I am happy to greet your Council's President, Archbishop , and thank him for his courteous words on your be- half. I express deep gratitude to each of you for your attentive care and the generous ef- forts with which in your daily activity you convey the Church's solicitude to all who are involved in this complex area of human mobility.

St Augustine writes: "I contemplate the vast expanse of sea around me, I am filled with wonder and admiration; I seek its maker ..." (Homily on Psalm 41,7). These words effec- tively sum up the Christian's attitude toward creation, God's great gift to humanity, and especially, toward the majesty and beauty of the ocean. I am certain that these same sen- timents motivate all who are dedicated in their apostolate to the vast world of migration and tourism and deal with it as it takes place on the oceans of the world.

This is a very diversified social sector, where the challenges may be many and the op- portunities for evangelization abound.

2. The increase in human mobility and the process of globalization have had a notable effect on the flow of migrants and tourists and on the activity of the people who work at sea. Opportunities for meeting are multiplied. However, along with the remarkable ad- vantages that derive from this phenomenon, one must also observe the negative, which include painful separations and complex, difficult situations. I am thinking, for example, of the seafarers who are obliged to live long periods far from their families; of the stress- ful pace of work to which all sea people are subjected, interrupted only by brief calls at ports; of the many migrants who cross the seas and oceans in search of better living con- ditions and who often encounter harsh realities, different by far from those advertised by the media.

Nor can we forget those special offers to tourists of "artificial paradises" where, for mere commercial purposes, peoples and local cultures are exploited for the benefit of a tou- rism which in some cases does not even respect the most basic human rights of the local people.

3. It is important not to leave those who belong to the great family of the sea without spiritual support. They should be given an opportunity to meet God and to discover the true sense of life in him. It is the mission of believers to witness that men and women everywhere are called to live a "new humanity", reconciled with God (cf. Eph 2,15).

If they have the support of trained pastoral workers, tourists will better appreciate their holiday or cruises, because they will not just be pleasure trips. They will indeed enjoy their free time and well-deserved period of rest, but at the same time they will be helped to dialogue with the people and civilizations they come into contact with, and spend time in reflection and prayer. It is also important not to deprive migrants of a brotherly wel- come and adequate religious assistance, to make them feel that their problems are under- stood and that they are being welcomed by societies that respect their cultural identity.

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Clandestine immigrants who risk much on board ships of fortune, must not be left to themselves.

In every situation, it will be necessary to guarantee more just conditions of work that respect individual and family needs, and at the same time, efforts should be made to of- fer them adequate opportunities to cultivate their faith and religious lilfe. This means promoting the pastoral care that is attentive to the variety of conditions and forms of apostolic presence that correspond to the variety of personal needs.

4. Your plenary meeting intends to focus better on these aspects, taking into account the need for a global approach to this complex human and social reality. Pastoral wor- kers should act in collaboration and fraternal communion in order to face the great challenges posed by this unusual missionary "worksite".

To this end, it is useful to recall the norms already in force that were issued in the Apostolic Letter Stella Maris (Star of the Sea), and in the Instruction De pastorali mi- gratorum cura (On the pastoral care of migrants), of which an updated edition is being prepared, as well as the indications of the document Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of Tourism (ORE 10 April 2002, insert). We should be conscious of the urgent need to provide a good formation for the lay faithful who are called to work in this apostolic sector and, by means of a constant updating, to inspire a renewed awareness of the problems of human mobility in Christian communities.

As I express the wish that your plenary meeting will contribute to greater understand- ing of these different social and pastoral situations, I encourage you to move forward with every valid initiative for the evangelization of this complex sector. I entrust the work of your meeting to the motherly protection of Mary, Star of the Sea, whom I ask to guide you to the port of a world of greater solidarity, which is more fraternal and more united. With these sentiments, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing to you all.

Monday, 29 April 2002

During the Meeting, Deacon Ricardo Rodrigues Martos, the Director of the Barcelona “Stella Maris”, presented the situation in which sea professionals live and work – a complex reality which, all things considered, is not well known by the public at large – in a well documented presentation that had also to do with the seafarers’ families and the response of the Church.

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th 15 Plenary Meeting of the Pontifical Council

Conclusions

During the 15th Plenary must accept these new wise calls every one of her Assembly of the Pontifical challenges by being the members to promote com- Council for the Pastoral good Samaritan on the munion, solidarity, and Care of Migrants and roads and sea lanes of cooperation, especially in Itinerant People, which humanity, promoting soli- this field, among particular took place from 29th April darity in migration, like- and local Churches as well to 1st May in the Vatican, wise through the exercise as in the ecumenical and the Members and Consul- of charity. interreligious arena. tors reflected on the pas- a) Taking into considera- toral opportunities and tion the theme of our Ple- 3. Evermore evangelization challenges arising from the nary, The world of the Sea, in the Third Millennium world of human mobility Sea and Migration, Sea demands renewed thrust that is intimately bound up and Tourism, the sea and pastoral planning stands out as the means of according to the letter and transportation in a new era the spirit of Novo Millen- Human mobility is an increased feature of migration uniting people nio Ineunte. In the growing of globalisation. Because of this there of all continents in frater- world of tourism, that are new barriers and challenges to be nity, dialogue, and com- means assuring the Pilgrim faced, in which God also offers us new merce but, at the same Church is present, to make time, provoking xenopho- tourism more worthy of pastoral possibilities. bic and even racist reac- human beings, breathing a tions, when it carries asy- new spirit into it, offering with the vastness of the sea lum-seekers and migrants, occasions for new encoun- and on the means to and hiding the daily human ters with God and brothers address them. Grateful to drama of seafarers and and sisters of other cultures the Holy Father for his fisher folk. and religions. In this way encouragement to recogni- b) Tourism - on the shores tourism will contribute to ze the many opportunities and at sea - is also cons- the dialogue among civi- to bring the presence of tantly increasing as a fea- lizations. This could be Christ the Good Shepherd ture of globalization, again considered a kind of new and his Good News into with positive and negative evangelization, in which the roads and sea lanes of aspects for the people and the lay faithful will have humanity as well as to pro- places that host tourists and special responsibilities, mote respect for the dignity for these visitors them- also with the contribution of the individuals, families, selves. of the ecclesial move- environment, and cultures ments. that are linked to the sea, 2. Since human mobility is we publish the following by definition a phenome- 4. The Church in a conclusions: non of movement and globalized world is called change that expands almost in every way to intensify 1. Human mobility is an uncontrollably beyond its role as promoter and increased feature of usually conceived boun- animator of solidarity and globalisation. Because of daries, cooperation and so- respect for human dignity this there are new barriers lidarity on the international and fundamental rights, and challenges to be and regional levels needs which are so often threa- faced, in which God also to be newly emphasized. tened also by new forms of offers us new pastoral That applies also to the slavery and exploitation. possibilities. The Church Church, whose Lord like- (Continued on page 5)

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This role likewise extends grants, people involved in with Episcopal Conferen- to regard for cultures and tourism, the maritime ces; cultural identities, sacred world and other people on places, including those of the move by - offering, in dialogue with other religions, and the en- other competent Dicaste- vironment. - facilitating the implemen- ries, instruments of for- tation of the Apostolic mation for old and new pas- 5. The Pontifical Council, Letter Motu proprio Stella toral agents in the field of with renewed vigor, will Maris (1997) on the Ma- human mobility; take the lead in promoting ritime Apostolate, and of solicitude for and anima- the Guidelines for the Pas- - completing the project of tion of the pastoral “struc- toral Care of Tourism, es- revising the Instructio de tures” in the service of mi- pecially in cooperation pastorali migratorum cura.

“Urgent need in international relationship for solidarity to become the criterion underlying all forms of cooperation”

This was the wish of to international relations international security”, John Paul II in His often shaped by a prag- affirmed the Holy Father. Message to the represen- matism devoid of ethical H.E. Msgr. Agostino tatives of the countries of and moral foundations. Marchetto, Secretary of the world gathered to- Moreover, a cause for the Pontifical Council for gether in Rome for the concern is to be found in the Pastoral Care of World Food Summit five the statistics according to Migrants and Itinerant years later, promoted by which assistance given to People, was present at the the FAO from June 10 to poor countries in recent World Summit five years 13, 2002. The message years appears to have de- later in his quality of was read by Cardinal creased rather than in- Permanent Observer of the , the first creased”. to the day of the meeting. To respect the goal fixed Organisations and the The words of the Holy in 1996, people who Organisms of United Father marked the suffer from hunger Nations for Food and beginning of the Summit should be 24 millions Agriculture (FAO, IFAD, “five years later” that of less every year. On the PAM). 1996, where Heads of contrary, at present the State and Government had decrease can be declared their political calculated around 8 willingness and their millions every year. common commitment to The Governments arrive to food security for reaffirmed the all people and to reduce fundamental importance by half, by the year 2015, of the pro-duction and the number of people who distribution of food are undernourished. coming from fishing. “If the goals of the 1996 “Poverty and hunger Summit have not been risk compromising even met - the Holy Father the ordered coexistence said - that can be attribut- of peoples and nations, ed also to the absence of a and constitute a real cultural of solidarity and threat to peace and

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National Meeting of Mission de la Mer, Sète, 10-12 May, 2002 (AOS-France)

Sea-related Professions and Globalization

The Mission de la Mer - They know from experi- you always; yes, to the end reports that the people of the ence how to approach the of time”. He promised them Sea are upset. Their reflec- international dimension; eternal life…to tell the truth, tions on the effects of inter- their professions have al- he promised that they would nationalization on trade and ways put them in this area: meet the Father. At the same fishing made it possible to 70% of resources are trans- time, he sent them – and he identify the following ported by sea; fishing is an sends us – on a mission points: essential element for the throughout the whole survival of many countries; world…on a real adventure Great disarray in the tradi- there are more than a mil- fully in the heart of interna- tional practices. lion seafarers who sail over tionalization, to find and - In trade, unemployment the oceans every day. bring this news: “God loves for the production personnel - They have experienced you”. - In fishing, the reduction of solidarity deeply, both on crews and the regulation of board and on land. It is in this spirit that the activities jeopardizing the - They live the differences Mission de la Mer intends to enterprising plans. between seafarers of diverse offer its contribution to the nationalities, races, cultures birth of a just and fraternal Furthermore, situations of and religions, and they world of people of the sea. exclusion can be seen on the know how to respect them Furthermore, in line with national level which affect and be enriched by them. these observations and this the most disadvantaged - They have provided them- conviction, the Mission de la categories of maritime peo- selves with organizations so Mer requests for the people ple in particular (retired per- as to take part in the regula- of the sea: sons and widows), but also tion of everyone’s practices the seafarers from the poor- and protect everyone’s dig- - that the French govern- est countries who are often nity in ports of call, while ment, in the framework of extremely exploited (salary, for fishing they expect this building Europe, will imple- rights, working condi- resource to be protected and ment a clear, constructive tions…). respected. policy for the sea and the - On their part, the women people of the sea which: The domination of the lib- have learned to get organiz- . makes the sea-related pro- eral culture as well as the ed in order to take their fessions attractive to young culture of “more and more place and contribute to- people; money”, in defiance of the wards the promotion of the . allows French seafarers to dignity of persons. maritime world. embark upon trade; . ensures the fair distribution At the same time, the obsta- We reaffirm this convic- of fishing rights among cles to the spirit of enter- tion to the Mission of the countries of the European prise, particularly from Sea: Union; regulations that are drawn - that France will soon join up without sufficient con- We are all brothers and we the countries that have rati- certed planning (no aid for see the presence of the fied Convention 163 and renovating small fishing Risen Christ in every man. Recommendation 173 of the boats that are less than Christ suffered because of ILO regarding seafarers’ twenty years old…). men’s cruelty, but through welfare in ports; his Resurrection he reas- - that it will favour the crea- However, the people of the sured them and told them, tion of “Welfare Councils” sea are not defenseless: “And know that I am with in trade ports.

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From the port of Davao … 4 May 2002

Two views of Globalization

Just another One night, a young supply cover almost every was "raided " in Cuba. Three day on the Filipino seafarer was sit- ship. And many of the indi- of the containers marked docks in the ting at the bar in our Stella viduals and/or companies "scrap materials" were found Port of Maris in Sasa. He was involved are "hidden" be- by the Customs Inspectors to Davao watching a CNN-TV re- hind Post Office Box num- contain a total of three Mer- port on Globalization. All bers or "brass plate" com- cedes-Benz lu-xury cars and of the sudden he seemed to pany names which may or six BMW motorcycles - all spring to life and shouted: may not give a true indica- stolen from Germany, trans- "globalized na kami"(we tion of who is actually res- ported to Stockholm, Sweden are already globalized). ponsible for this or that and then shipped to Singa- Some of the other Fili- particular operation of the pore. pino seafarers at the bar vessel. In Singapore, the cargo did not seem to appreciate Quite another aspect of was labeled "scrap materials" his outburst and shouted globalization is evidenced and prepared for trans-ship- back at him "ano sinabi in the experience of the ment to the Philippines. The mo! (what did you say)". crew of the MV Da Fa, a shipment was loaded onto the The young seafarer was large container cargo ship MV Da Fa for delivery to not to be silenced; he said: which comes to Davao Port Cebu. All the Cebu addresses "my ship is owned by a every two weeks from Sin- were found to be phony. The Greek businessman, living gapore. The vessel docks at cargo is now impounded by in Malta. We are managed Davao Port - Sasa the Government but, happily, by a German Company. Wharf - for only about 12 the crew is free. Our Insu-rance is from hours and then moves on to Another example of Lloyd's of London. Our Cuba and Subic Bay and "Globalization" - a negative manning agent is on then back to Singapore. It form of "globalzation" in- United Nations Ave. in is a big cargo container volving an international syn- Paco, Manila. ship with an all-Chinese dicate operating in northern We are registered in crew. The crew spends Europe to smuggle stolen Panama. We have a Ger- most of their free time here luxury vehicles into the Phi- man Captain but mostly at our Stella Maris Seafar- lippines: an operation involv- Croatian Officers and the ers' Center. They are really ing Germany, Sweden, Sin- crew is a mix-mix of Fili- a lively group and enjoy gapore and extending to a pinos, Burmese and Indo- the Chinese movies we major port in the Philippines. nesian. We go to Vancou- pick up on the Cable TV. ver, Canada to pick up Just about a week ago tons of wheat which we at the end of April, the ship Jack Walsh deliver to Davao City.... Count the countries: Greece, Malta, Germany, England, the Philippines, Croatia, Burma or Myan- mar, Indonesia and Ca- nada. At least 10 countries involved with one ship!!! Globalized na kami!!!" The young Seafarer was absolutely correct. These days "layers" of ownership, management, crewing, insurance and

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San Lorenzo de El Escorial (Madrid), May 14, 2002 (Zenit.org)

Towards Rio and Latin America ... António Guterres, the former Prime The first Social Con- the Congress (Cardinals, strengthening of civil soci- Minister of gress on Latin America and Bishops, religious, and lay- ety. . Portugal, said the European Union ended men) organized by the The congress was that the part- with an appeal for “a more Episcopates of the two opened by José Maria Az- nership be- humane global society continents, highlight four nar, current President of tween Latin founded on solidarity”. The decisive conclusions of the European Council, America and meeting ended with the their discussions: who told the participants the European 150 participants' approval - Give priority to the social that “the phenomenon of Union should of a 6-page final declara- dimension of economic de- globalization is not a contribute to- tion. It will be presented at velopment; threat, but a great opportu- wards a better the summit of the Heads of -Combat corruption by nity”. He emphasized that system of State and Government of promoting an ethics of re- “Europe and Latin Amer- global gover- the European Union, Latin sponsibility in business; ica share such values as nance. “If we America, and the Carib- -Ensure the protection of defending the dignity of can create a bean, to take place in Ma- the environment through the person and personal coalition drid on Friday and Satur- effective political and legal freedom” and added that against terro- day. instruments; “separation with collabo- rism, we The final document is -Make structures of gover- ration is the political and should be able coupled with an open letter nance capable of meeting social principle of the to create an addressed to José Maria the challenges of globaliza- common history of Europe international Aznar, Prime Minister of tion through the moderni- and Latin America and is coalition the Spanish Government zation of the State, more the system which best re- against po- and current President of the effective structures of re- flects the values of demo- verty”, he European Council. In the gional integration and glo- cracy and freedom”. said. letter, the participants in bal cooperation, and the

From the AOS National Director of Australia

I was asked by a Doctor at a Psychiatric Hospital earlier this month, to talk to him and his staff about Church, in particular, the Roman . This came about after an incident where the hospital called Elders from the Mormons and Latter Day Saints to pray over a Filipino seafarer. A Russian born Psychiatrist said to me why does it matter who comes to see the seafarers, so long as somebody is there? This gave me an opportunity to explain what it is to be Catholic and how we differ from other religions, ex- plaining the Eucharist and Communion Service, Reconciliation, and many other things that we often take for granted in our own Church. Then last week my daughter was doing an assignment and in the assignment it had the statement that really puts Church and Hospital together in a clear and simple way: It started with the washing of the feet and said, “Unless we are prepared to wash the dirt from others' feet and allow them to wash our feet, we cannot be healed”. Where seafarers are concerned, we receive as much from seafarers as we give them. Our Church is not the building we go to for prayer, but the Church is the people. Mass is not only a celebra- tion of the lives of Saints and Martyrs. It is a place we go to for healing. Just before we go to Communion, we say: I am not worthy to receive you, but just say the word and I will be healed." What does healed mean? We may not be cut and bleeding on the outside, but it is the healing of our soul. The seafarer who was in the Psychiatric Hospital had suffered a lot, from physical abuse to mental abuse, isolation and loneliness. He had been 18 months on the ship with no time away to contact family and only had the occasional letter. After having a nervous breakdown and setting fire to his cabin, crew felt the safest thing they could do with him was to tie him to a chair in the empty gymnasium. He was fed occasio-

(Continued on page 12)

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Managing cultural diversity Extract from an article by Currently, slightly has nine nationalities and in their loin cloths and the Captain more than 50% of the with an average port stay Sikhs in their colourful William world fleet is mixed- of 8 hours, a run ashore is turbans, all relaxing and Amanhyia, manned, mainly with crew a luxury we barely can chatting after a hard days’ MSc, MNI, originating from different afford. However the rich work… Shipmaster countries in the developing cultural mix on board Pacific world. This shift in the probably provides a more [After considering the International maritime industry’s tra- relaxing environment than barriers to change, the influence of culture, lines, ditional labour market de- a run ashore could do. By Singapore. encouraging social mix- relationship issues and mographics has resulted in (Seaways, ing, there is always some- some existing cultural an- the creation of a new, June 2002) diverse maritime workforce thing new to learn, some- tagonisms, the Author has that has now become thing to keep one’s mind this to say in his con- occupied. Thanks to my clusion:] largely more multicultural We encourage Polish chief engineer for The maritime industry than ever before. This you to read example, I know a lot is now faced with a perhaps represents one of the whole more about Polish history multicultural workforce the most significant chal- article. lenges facing the maritime and why Lech Walesa… which requires organiza- industry today…. My second engineer, from tions to provide an en- Managing cultural di- the former Yugoslavia, is vironment that enables the versity can no longer be learning how to eat curry, crew to operate comfor- thought of as an organiza- having the usual problems tably within it… tional issue alone, but also with foreign food, but an industrial responsibili- thoroughly enjoying him- ty… self with what he terms One issue under this is ‘all the exotic eastern shipboard habitability stan- cuisine’. dards which have been As I am preparing this found to impact on the article, my two Indian crew’s sense of well- cadets are preparing for being… the coming Indian festival The potential exists to of colors; and when one This requires pro- use cultural diversity to im- visits the crew mess in the viding diversity training prove some aspects of so- evenings, one is sure to for seafarers so they can cial habitability standards come across some do away with the subtle on board… fantastic national costu- assumptions that diffe- The company I work mes, from the Indonesian rences equate to deficien- for operates mixed manned in their fez hats and cies, an assumption that ships. Six nationalities on a colourful batiks, probably has been the rot cause of ship with a 23-men crew is with a prayer mat under much racial tension on the norm. My present ship their arms, to the Burmese mixed manned ships.

“More and more of the world’s merchant ships now have crews of very mixed nationalities. A three-year study carried out by the Seafarers’ International Research Centre (SIRC) in Cardiff has found that they can work as well, if not better, than ships with only one or two nationalities on board. Focus on mixed crewing is the title of an interesting article that you can read on Flying Angel News, June/August 2002.

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Catholic News Service, April 17, 2002

Ministers to seafarers gather to 'start talking Catholic again’

Who ministers to souls bishops' headquarters in tant issues facing the organi- on the high seas? With no Washington. Bishop Jo- zation, according to Father parish or priest to call their seph L. Howze, who re- Oubre, is the reclaiming of own, seafarers still need cently retired as head of Catholic identity. Catholic shepherds to whom they the Biloxi, Miss., Diocese, chaplains traditionally have can turn when they're in has served as bishop pro- attended ecumenical conven- port. This is the role of the moter since 1996. This tions for Christian ministers chaplains of the Apostle- year Bishop Curtis J. to seafarers, but in more than ship of the Sea. Guillory of Beaumont, two decades, they have not For the first time in Texas, succeeds him. sat down as a group by them- more than 20 years, the selves. AOS ministry in the The network of port United States gathered for ministry forms a “parish” “We really have to focus a national convention. The for Catholic seafarers that on Catholic issues”, Fr. Ou- April 10-12 meeting in not only administers the bre said. “When we’re doing San Diego was a historic sacraments, but also meets Catholic ministry, is not just opportunity to “start talk- other basic needs such as gathering people to pray to- ing Catholic again”, ac- spiritual renewal, welcome, gether, is bringing the sacra- cording to Father Sinclair communication with loved mental life of the church to Oubre, president of the ones back home, recreation the people of the sea. If we're apostleship. and assistance in establish- not doing that, were not car- Among those attending ing a safe work environ- rying out our mission”. was ‘Vatican’ representa- ment. These services are tive Fr. Gerard Tronche, of extended to Catholics and Catholic chaplains to sea- the Secretariat of the non-Catholics alike. farers are great at providing Apostleship of the Sea While some seafarers for day-to-day needs, such as from the Pontifical Coun- are able to come ashore driving fishermen to cil for Migrants and Itiner- and use Stella Maris cen- Wal-Mart, advocating for im- ant People (an extract of ters, those without proper proved ship conditions and his talk on following visas are not allowed helping seafarers earn fair page). More than two ashore. When that's the wages, said Fr. Oubre, but dozen chaplains attended case, chaplains go aboard these are secondary missions, the conference. ship to celebrate Mass, and chaplains must focus provide a cordless phone more on bringing the sacra- AOS chaplains work at and meet any other needs mental life of the church to 59 U.S. ports, located the crew may have. seafarers. along the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the Great "We have an obligation Lakes, Alaska, Hawaii, Sa- and a responsibility not to moa and Puerto Rico. neglect those that are pass- Some work out of Catholic ing through," said Fr. John Stella Maris centers, some A. Jamnicky, national di- from ecumenical centers rector of the AOS. “It’s a and others out of the pretty basic command on trunks of their cars. Many the part of Christ to wel- work side by side with come them. They are not to chaplains of other denomi- be forgotten, neglected or nations. The apostleship is overlooked”. based at the U.S. Catholic One of the most impor-

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By Fr. Gérard Tronche

A few words on the place held by Apostolatus Maris

Let me say frankly bration, without any form through the Opus that it was not until I joined of protocol, which took Apostolatus Maris, over the Pontifical Council in place at the entrance to the which it constitutes the Extract from 1994, that I learned about Council offices, in the Pa- highest authority”. the Apostolic Constitution lazzo San Calisto. Msgr Indeed, the text had a talk given Pastor Bonus which Pope Cheli, accompanied by Jim triggered long canonical to the Na- John Paul II wrote in 1988. Dillenburg, Fr François Le battles, aimed at defining It was his reform of the Gall my now deceased what it said exactly. What tional Meet- , by which he predecessor and Mrs. was meant by saying that created, alongside the 9 Antonella Farina, fixed a the Apostleship of the Sea ing of the Congregations and the 3 plaque with the logo of is an Apostolic 'WORK', AOS-USA in Tribunals, the 12 Pontifical "Apostolatus Maris" en- whose highest authority is Councils new dicasteries of San Diego, the Roman Curia. The April 10,2002 Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and People on the Move is one of these Councils. It inherited the offices and the staff of the Pontifical Commission for Migrants and Tourism which Paul VI had created after Vatican II, in 1970 and put under the authority of the Congregation for Bishops. The art. 150 of Pastor Bonus gives a job descrip- graved in marble, imme- the Pontifical Council'? tion of that Council. We diately under that of the Not every reading of the read there that he entrusted Pontifical Council, outside text favoured the re- it with the highest the front door. It has been cognition of a specific responsibility over the there since for all visitors identity to Apostolatus Apostleship of the Sea, to see. Maris! giving also to the AOS, in This plaque is the In that context, the comparison with the other symbol of a recovered, not precisions offered by the sectors of pastoral of to say regained, identity Pope in his Apostolic mobility, a special charac- lost when the International letter motu proprio Stella ter. It took some time be- Secretariat of Apostolatus Maris (1997) were most fore this would be re- Maris had been absorbed welcome: "Although it cognised. by the Pontifical Commis- does not constitute an By 1993, Archbishop sion in 1970. The text of autonomous canonical en- Giovanni Cheli, now Pastor Bonus (art 150, §.2 tity with its own juridical Cardinal Cheli, who was 1998) reads like this: "The personality, the Work then President of the Council also facilitates in (Opus) of the Maritime Pontifical Council had particular churches, the Apostolate, is the institu- made up his mind. On pastoral ministry to tion concerned with the September 17, 1993, he Seafarers, both at sea and specific pastoral care of presided an informal cele- in ports, particularly (Continued on page 12)

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(from page 11) said to the ICMA Executive inspiration. But in fact we the People of the Sea; it Commettee on that occa- can find the vision which seeks to support the work of sion, because it refers to should inspire us today and the faithful who are called what is happening here in tomorrow in the very first to witness to their Christian San Diego through this paragraph of John Paul’s faith in this environ- meeting: “The AOS antici- introduction of his Letter

ment" (Stella Maris, Section pates promoting member- Stella Maris. 1, art. 1) ship among seafarers and It is a perfect example Without claiming a its pastoral workers”. And of latin/roman sobriety. Not proper legal personality at he informed them of one word too many or too the level of the Universal another important decision, few. Each word counts. Church, the AOS is none quite in line with what was Nobody could write a the less a specific institu- said earlier about the AOS better “mission statement” tion, which in many coun- as an organisation: for the AOS: After having tries does have an autono- “The people who work recalled the memory of mous ecclesiastical or civic here in the Vatican for AOS Mary, the Star of the Sea legal status, and has its will comprise its General cherished by the People of proper goals: promoting a Secretariat. One of the the Sea, Pope John Paul form of pastoral ministering members of the General goes on to say: to Seafarers and supporting Secretariat will represent “Her Son, Jesus Christ, the commitment of the the AOS on the ICMA accompanied his disciples faithful in the maritime Executive Committee”. Six in their vessels, helped world. The Apostleship of months later in Helsinki, them in their work and the Sea has its own identity, Msgr Jim Dillenburg was calmed the storms. And so and seeks to achieve its taking the AOS seat in the the Church accompanies goals, under the highest au- ICMA Executive Com- seafarers, caring for the thority of the Pontifical mittee which had been most special spiritual needs of Council. successfully held before by those who for various In November 1993, two Fr Leo Kreiss, National Di- reasons live and work in months after the small rector of the AOS in Ger- the maritime world”. celebration I talked about many. “Jesus Christ… and so earlier, putting up the In fact the highest the Church…”. Let me add: plaque, our Pontifical vision of the Apostleship of and so the Apostleship of Council hosted for the first the Sea is to be found in the the Sea, which is the time a meeting of the Exe- Apostolic Letter Motu Pro- Church in the Maritime cutive Committee of ICMA. prio Stella Maris. This World. (This would happen again Document has been seen by in May 2000). I will recall many people as just another here what Cardinal Cheli normative text empty of any

(from page 8) nally with one hand untied. He was not toileted or washed, but after all of this, when I met him in hospital, his one need was for Communion. The medicine that I gave out was not only the Communion Service, but we spoke of God's unconditional love for him, with lots of hugs and tears. We walked through all of the problems and abuses that he had suf- fered and all of the healing that he needed. After two weeks, he returned home to his family. He didn't need to go to Church to find this. He needed the Church to come to him, not unlike the Doctors that used to make house calls. The medicine is the same, either way, to cure the body or to cure the soul. It is amazing what medicine is contained in a hug. While he was in hospital, the medical staff were able to take him off his medication. They were amazed at the change in him. The hospital staff cannot give the same medicine that we can give. To hold somebody and talk calmly and quietly to them, is not even allowed in medical ethics. Sometimes we make rules and restric- tions that hinder recovery. So next time you go to your Parish, think of it partly as going to hospital. We all need our Doctors and our medicine to maintain a healthy mind, body and soul. God bless you all, Ted (The Beacon, April 2002)

12 ApostolatusApostolatus Maris Maris no. 77,no. 2002/II68

AM World Directory

Please do not forget to register as soon as possible your participation to the XXI World Congress of the Apostleship of the Sea (Rio de Janeiro, September 29th to October 5th 2002).

Acronyms & abbreviations A mariners’ instant guide to some of the acronyms and abbreviations in use at sea and ashore. Compiled by The Nautical Institute DLat - difference in latitude ETA - estimated time of arrival DGPS – Differential Global Positioning System ETD - estimated time of departure DLong - difference in latitude EU - European Union DnV – Det Norske Veritas FCC - fully cellular containership (classification society) FCO - financed, constructed and operated DOC - document of compliance FTP - file transfer protocol (as per ISM Code) FNI - Fellow of The Nautical Institute DP - dynamic positioning FO – fuel oil DR - dead reckoning FPSO – floating production, storage and DSC- Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes offloading system and Containers, IMO FSA - formal safety assessment DSS - decision support system GLA - General Lighthouse Authority Dwt - deadweight tonnes GL - Germanischer Lloyd (classification society) ECDIS - electronic chart display and Glonass - Global navigation satellite system information system GMDSS - global maritime distress and safety system ECS - electronic chart system GMT - Greenwich mean time EEZ - exclusive economic zone GOC - general operators’ certificate with ENC– electronic navigation chart regard to GMDSS Epirb– emergency position indicating GPS - global positioning system radio beacon GT - gross tonnes (To be continued)

13 Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants Palazzo San Calisto - Vatican City Tel. +39-06-6988 7131 Fax +39-06-6988 7111 e-mail: [email protected] http://www.stellamaris.net

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