Sea Sunday Message 2009
From the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of
Migrants and Itinerants
Maritime industry is one of the most essential activities
in our society. Seafarers are responsible for bringing more
than 90% of products from one part of the world to another,
to satisfy our needs and make our life more comfortable.
Yet, very seldom or not all, do we think about these men
and women who often work for months and years on board of
vessels moving goods. Many of us had very few opportunities
to meet seafarers. Most modern ports are far away from the
cities, the mechanization and fast turn around leave crew
ship with little time to relax and to come ashore. Maybe
this is one of the reasons why we call seafarers the
"invisible people". The romantic notion of a seafarer who
would travel to see the world for free is no longer valid,
with sea-faring becoming even more difficult than it always
has been. Even though the vessels are now fitted with the
latest technology to make them more secure and safe, the
life of seafarers continues not to be a easy one.
The recent global economic crisis has deeply affected the
merchant fleet worldwide, with vessels sent to scrap, others
lying at the anchorages in different ports. Crews are fired
or abandoned by bankrupt owners and seafarers are willing to
accept employment at lower wages and less benefits. Some
unscrupulous vessels owners use the flag of convenience to
avoid enforcing maritime standards of vessels seaworthiness
and safety. Piracy is on the rise on many shipping routes,
putting in danger not only the valuable cargo of vessels but
more importantly the life of crew members who often suffer
lasting psychological effects and leave their families
traumatized. Moreover the criminalization of seafarers and
the unfair treatment they receive, in the event of maritime
accidents, is another hidden danger in their life.
While we celebrate Sea Sunday we would like to express
our sincere gratitude to the 1,200,000 seafarers of all
nationalities on whom we depend for many of our daily needs,
and also to fishers, port workers and their families. In
this special day the Apostleship of the Sea, faithful to its
mission of service and pastoral care of the people of the
sea, would like to call for concrete actions that would
bring improvements in to the maritime industry.
We encourage Governments to recognize the importance and
urgency of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 and the Work
in Fishing Convention 2007 and to have them ratified so that
seafarers and fishers may benefit from them.
We plead for all the seafarers "decent and productive
work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human
dignity".
We condemn piracy and call on the international community
to adopt all the necessary measures not only to prevent this
happening but also to provide care and support to crew
members experiencing such an ordeal.
We call on the respect of the environment and the
implementation of legislations to avoid incidents that could
put in danger and pollute valuable sea resources.
Moreover we cannot forget the people at sea on board old,
rusty and unseaworthy vessels that seek a way to better life
by embarking themselves in treacherous and dangerous
journeys that could end in tragedy.
We ask Mary "Star of the Sea" to guide and sustain the
work of our chaplains and volunteers in their continuous
dedication to announce the "Good News to all the creatures"
(Mark 16, 15), therefore also to those who are seafarers.
H.E. Msgr. Antonio Maria Vegliò
President
Archbishop Agostino Marchetto
Secretary |