Papal encouragement for pastors to seafarers
November 26, 2012
"Ever since the dawn of Christianity, the maritime world has been an effective vehicle for evangelization,” Pope Benedict XVI observed, in an address to an international conference on pastoral care for seafarers.
The Pope told the conference that the pastoral needs of seafaring people have been changed by “the complex effects of globalization,” and now include various forms of exploitation, exclusion, and piracy.
However, in some respects the spiritual needs of those who spend long periods of time away from home remain the same, the Pontiff said. He encouraged pastors and chaplains to “show the caring face of the Church” to help “fulfill the deepest longings of their souls.”
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- The Church is Close to Seafarers (VIS)
- Protection, justice and work ?for seafarers (L’Osservatore Romano)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
