In Time of Tragedy
 Pastoral
care for a crew in mourning
In May 2008, a young Indian seafarer went missing as his
ship, M/V Virgo Leader, sailed to Saudi Arabia. His body was
never found. Some of the crew said that he had jumped into
the sea. They said that he had personal problems but did not
like to talk about them.
When the ship reached the port of Laemchabang in
Thailand, the agent contacted AOS. National director of AOS
Thailand, Fr Soodjen Fonruang visited the ship. He was
accompanied by port pastoral worker Apinya Tajit and other
members of the pastoral team. Fr Fonruang said Mass onboard
and blessed the ship.
 The
seafarers onboard the M/V Virgo Leader came from various
countries including the Philippines, India and the USA. Fr
Fonruang and his team spent time listening to them.
Following their loss, it was important for the seafarers to
talk openly and to pray for their colleague. Talking,
listening and simply being there is part of the pastoral
care which AOS offers to all seafarers regardless of
religion or nationality.
Photographs: (1) The AOS Pastoral Team. (2) Fr
Fonruang talks to a seafarer (3) Members of the crew during
Mass
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