National Conference, France
 At
their national conference in Lisieux, 2008, AOS France
reflect on their commitment to solidarity with the People of
the Sea
In May 2008, AOS personnel from the ports of France
gathered in Lisieux for their annual conference. Also
present were AOS European regional co-ordinator Fr Edward
Pracz and Bishop Claude Schockert who is responsible for
Migrants and Itinerant People at the Bishops' Conference of
France.
The theme of the conference was "living together, a
challenge for today". Through a series of talks, discussions
and workshops, delegates reflected on the theme of living
together with the People of the Sea.
As one delegate from St Malo commented
"An interest in 'living together' means much more than
the simple fact of co-existing in the same place"
 Conference
found that merchant seafarers serving in multinational crews
often live together very well. However cultural differences
and the difficulties of learning a common language increase
feelings of isolation. The pressure of work and short
turnaround times make communication with families difficult.
This reaffirms the importance of ship visiting and
seafarers' centres
Fishers face the challenge of diminishing fish stocks,
complicated regulations and quotas. They worry about the
future of their profession. It is necessary to strengthen
their professional solidarity, beyond local level. AOS will
continue to work with associations of fishers' wives which
are active in French ports.
Those involved in maritime leisure activities and
shore-based professions are also People of the Sea. AOS is
working with different groups to establish dialogue so that
the sea can be a shared space and shared resource for all.
Practical help is offered where possible to undocumented
migrant workers who arrive in our ports. Building relations
with young people is one of our challenges.
 Fr
Robert Gaborit, outgoing general secretary and national
director of AOS France, concluded
"The theme of 'living together' expresses universal
fraternity in a practical sense which should unite men and
women in this age. We draw this conviction from the Gospel
and we endeavour to bear witness to it in the maritime
world".
Fr Robert has been involved with AOS France from its
beginning. He was general secretary and national director
for six years. As a young man, he worked on fishing boats.
He remains active with AOS in the port of St Gilles Croix de
Vie where he is a parish priest.
During the conference AOS France, known locally as
Mission de la Mer, elected Fr Guy Pasquier to be the new
general secretary and national director. Fr Guy is is a
priest of the Mission de France movement and, in the
tradition of worker priests, went to sea as an electrician.
He lives in Le Havre.
Philippe Martin has been the president of AOS France
since 2006. He joined the National Merchant Marine School in
Le Havre in 1970 and AOS France during the same period.
Philippe spent time at sea in a variety of roles including
working as a North Sea pilot. Married with three children,
he lives in Le Havre.
Photographs: (1) Delegates from the Conference (2) Fr
Philippe Ugele told the conference, "even in the darkest
moments, stay strong". (3) Fr Guy Pasquier, Mr Philippe
Martin. |