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Spiritual Care of Seafarers, Fishers & their Families
 Sustaining faith, nurturing spirituality and working for
the dignity of all seafarers All People of the Sea have
spiritual needs whatever their cultural and religious
background. The Apostleship of the Sea promotes the moral
and cultural values inherited from home communities. Harsh
living and working conditions sometimes challenge these
values.
The Apostleship of the Sea takes an holistic
approach, treating seafarers as whole persons with needs in
both body and soul. The Apostleship of the Sea is committed to ecumenism and
interreligious dialogue. However ICMA does not support
churches or sects which have aggressive recruitment policies
and wish to gain access to seafarers for conversion
purposes.
The Apostleship of the Sea works for unity,
peace and tolerance. We respect and value other religious
beliefs. Chaplains and ship visitors approach seafarers as
friends offering spiritual support on the seafarers’ own
terms. Around the world, the Apostleship of the Sea assists visiting seafarers to
fulfil their spiritual needs. Typically this includes:
making contact with priests or ministers of religion;
transport to places of worship; and distributing spiritual
literature suitable for interreligious use.
Catholic Seafarers
Keeping the faith, living it on land and sea is not an
easy challenge for anyone. The Apostleship of the Sea
supports Catholic seafarers in their faith in a multitude of
ways, including transport to Mass at seafarers’ centres or
local parishes; arranging Mass or Eucharistic services
onboard ship; distribution of literature and faith articles
such as rosaries and icons.
Photograph: Fr José Juan Cervantes celebrates the
Eucharist onboard a petrol tanker in the port of Buenos
Aires. The celebration was attended by Catholic and Orthodox
members of the crew. |
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Spirituality is not ideology, it is
not strategy or a clever tactic in order to achieve our
goals or target. It is a choice, a commitment to live our
Christian vocation which is fellowship and fellowship of
Christ in a way adapted to our particular mission.
Mgr Jacques Harel
Apostleship of the Sea
International Office |
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