Vatican cardinal speaks of Apostleship of the Sea and the new evangelization

November 20, 2012

The president of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant People called upon those involved in the Apostleship of the Sea to be agents of the new evangelization.

“Multinational teams live and work in the ships' very limited space, far from their families and Christian communities for months, and with no nourishment for their faith, which is often like a ‘smoldering wick,’” said Cardinal Antonio Maria Vegliò at a conference commemorating the 90th anniversary of the apostolate’s approval by Pope Pius XI. “The New Evangelization and the Year of the Faith invite every chaplain and volunteer of the Apostleship of the Sea to deepen their faith, to believe in the Gospel message, and to go forward to proclaim the Gospel to those who do not know it and to rekindle in this way that ‘smoldering wick’ through Christian witness.”

“This Christian witness must be given through a ministry of on-going presence, service and solidarity,” the prelate added. “For the seafarers who arrive in foreign ports, far from the city, the presence of an Apostleship of the Sea center with the chaplain and volunteers is always a beacon of light for those who have sailed for weeks only in the company of themselves.”

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Vatican Congress opens on Apostleship of the Sea (Vatican Radio)