Apostleship of the Sea set to boost its international network
Seafarer welfare organisation Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) is set to boost its worldwide network to better assist
seafarers working in current tough conditions faced by shipping.
“Looking at the maritime world that is quickly changing with the opening of new shipping routes and the merging of
companies to maximise efficiency and profit, as AoS we are invited to be more united in doing our work, avoiding
fragmentation and division,” said Cardinal Antonio Maria Vegliò, President of the Pontifical Council, which coordinates
the activities of AoS worldwide.
Cardinal Vegliò was speaking at the opening of the Council’s AoS Regional Coordinators Meeting in the Rome today. The
five-day conference will focus on how AoS is to move forward as a global organisation in addressing issues related to
seafarer welfare amid existing financial constraints within the industry.
He recalled the invitation expressed in the final document of the AoS World Congress held in November 2012 to
“strengthen solidarity between AoS nations, sharing resources, best practices and developing expertise in the various
sectors of the maritime industry, more particularly on fishing”.
Cardinal Vegliò further drew attention to the plight of fishermen and their families, a community that has traditionally
been an important part of AoS’ work, but who have also been subjected to abuse both in developing and developed
countries.
“We cannot ignore the painful situation in which many fishers and their families are living. It is therefore really
urgent to take more significant steps to develop old and new approaches to the pastoral care aimed at the world of
fishers. Special thought also goes to those seafarers still held hostage by pirates and their families,” he said.
The speakers at the conference include V. Ships President Roberto Giorgi who will speak about the trends, developments
and main issues for the maritime industry in the next five years.
Also speaking at the conference is Father Bruno Ciceri of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and
Itinerant People and AoS Great Britain National Director Reg. Charity in England & Wales no. 1069833 Reg. Charity in Scotland No. SCO43085 Company Registration no. 3320318
Martin Foley, both of whom will discuss the position of AoS International as it stands and moving forward into the
future.
Deirdre Fitzpatrick, Director of the Seafarers’ Right International, an independent center dedicated to advancing the
rights of seafarers through research, education and training in issues concerning seafarers and the law, will talk about
the issues affecting the life of the seafarers and infringing their rights.
-Ends-