|
|
|
European Fishers Protest
Rising fuel prices in the first half of 2008 have caused
significant problems in the fishing industry leading to
protests in western Europe. The cost of fuel has increased
by 30% since the beginning of the year. Fishers claim that
this is threatening their livelihood. In June 2008, fishers'
representatives from Spain, Portugal, France and Italy met
representatives of the European Union to demand action.
Meanwhile striking fishers blockaded several ports in their
countries.
In Spain, the ports of Corunna and Vigo have been
particularly affected. In response, the local bishops,
included Bishop Luis Quinteiro Fiuza, AOS bishop promoter in
Spain, have issued a statement calling for a fair solution
through negotiation.
Message from the Bishops of the Province of Santiago de
Compostela in response to problems in the fishing industry
June 2008, Lugo.
The joys and the hopes, the
grieves and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially
those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the
joys and hopes, the grieves and anxieties of the followers
of Christ. Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an
echo in their hearts. Vatican II, Gaudium et Spes 1
These words of the Second Vatican Council encourage us to
look around us at the People of the Sea who live in our
diocese and who are experiencing a difficult situation. This
has caused demonstrations of protest in various forms
including an indefinite blockade in the ports of Galicia.
As shepherds of the People of God who make their
pilgrimage in Galicia, we share the worries of the People of
the Sea and we exhort them not to lose hope.
We ask that the government departments involved take
their problems into account. We are confident that, if
everyone is willing to co-operate, fair solutions can always
be found if we take the route of dialogue and negotiation.
The love that seafarers bear for Our Lady of Mount Carmel
is, undoubtedly, a gift from God. It is the greatest
inheritance which is passed from generation to generation in
seafaring families. We turn to her in these moments of
difficulty for the men and women of the sea. We trust that
we can always count on her powerful intercession.
- Julián Barrio Barrio, Archbishop of Santiago de
Compostela
- José Dieguez Reboredo, Bishop of Tui-Vigo
- Luis Quinteiro Fiuza, Bishop of Ourense and AOS
Bishop Promoter in Spain
- Manuel Sánchez Monge, Bishop of Mondoñedo-Ferrol
- Alfonso Carrasco Rouco, Bishop of Lugo
|
|