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Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People People on the MoveN° 101, August 2006
Vatican City,19th June 2006
N. 2425/2006/AM
SEA SUNDAY MESSAGE Â 2006
As the Apostleship of the Sea celebrates Sea Sunday 2006, once again our thoughts and prayers go to all the Seafarers and Fishing communities worldwide, together with those who are involved in cruise ships and yachting. This year we observe this day with renewed optimism because in February a comprehensive Convention on Maritime Labour Standard was adopted opening the way  if ratified and implemented  for the emergence of a new maritime world order that will offer new opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work. But, on the other hand, we were disappointed that the proposed Convention on Work in the Fishing Sector was not approved during the 93th ILO Conference, in 2005. This international instrument would have made all kind of professional fishing a safer and more just workplace. It is hoped that it will be presented again and adopted at the next ILO Conference. It is hence important that AOS members continue to campaign and join forces with local fishers organizations to promote the understanding and the adoption of this instrument. In the meantime, in spite of the fact that the shipping trade is enjoying a period of growth and that the demand for fisheries products is unprecedented, globalisation is putting the dignity of the human persons involved in shipping and fishing under heavy strain and life at sea is still difficult and dangerous. Globalisation of labour and finance in shipping, illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, but also rigid regulations that do not take into account essential needs of fishing communities, are causing harm to the maritime profession and environment. To alleviate this and to contribute to a new social order, it is essential to establish with and among seafarers and fishing communities relationships of solidarity and cooperation. Solidarity is one of the basic concepts of the ChurchÂs Social Teaching, which is based on the principles of the dignity of the human person and of the common good of all. Sea Sunday is therefore a reminder for the Apostleship of the Sea to be faithful to its vocation and to keep intact its Christian perspective, which is to put the human being at the centre of all planning and projects, to make a firm commitment especially in favour of the poor and the weak, to promote a sense of brotherhood and solidarity, to share with everyone the Hope that evil will not prevail and things can be changed for the better, as it is in the Paschal mystery. There are many things that contribute to an individualÂs well-being: good material and working conditions are indeed indispensable but we cannot be guided solely by economic considerations; respect for the social and spiritual dimensions of each person, without which no real and sustainable happiness can be achieved, is also essential. With this in mind, next year, we shall hold our XXII AOS World Congress in Gdynia, Poland, from 24th to 29th June. One of the conclusions in the AOS Congress of Rio de Janeiro (2002), was that the Âglobalised maritime industry be given a humane faceÂ. This time we shall go a step further and take this opportunity to discuss and deepen the understanding of our pastoral care, the apostolateÂs spirituality and its specific contribution to the maritime world. Let us pray that this will be a time of grace that will enable us to progress in our mission, which is to reach out to all the People of the Sea. On this auspicious day we wish you all a happy celebration, invoking on all seafaring and fishing communities and on all chaplains, pastoral agents and volunteers of AOS the maternal intercession of the Holy Virgin Mary, the ÂStella MarisÂ. May She pray for us, teaching us how to strengthen the bonds of Christian solidarity among us, through Proclamation of the Word, Liturgy and Service.
Renato Raffaele Cardinal Martino President
Archbishop Agostino Marchetto Secretary
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