Leading pastoral care for Filipino seafarers

Leading pastoral care for Filipino seafarers
Yashika F. Torib April 28, 2021 https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/04/28/business/maritime-business/leadin...

Filipino seafarers are famed in the international shipping industry as one of the most hard-working, adaptable, tolerant, and happy people to be found working onboard merchant vessels. Many would attribute these qualities to their culture of ingenuity and industry as well as years spent perfecting their seafaring skills at schools and training centers.
These are the mere tip of the iceberg, however.

Carrying all the brunt of reality and responsibilities from a highly technical world is the rock-solid foundation that burns in every heart of the religious Filipino — faith.

Missionary and chaplain, Fr. Paulo Prigol, is at the core of maritime pastoral care in the Philippines.

The Brazilian priest, who served with the Scalabrinian Missionary for 42 years, started as a secretary of the Commission on Migration of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (Cbcp) from 1989 to 2003. In June 2009, he was appointed head of the Apostleship of the Sea (Aos), now known as Stella Maris-Manila.

Aos was founded in Glasgow, Scotland in the early 20th century. It provides pastoral care to seafarers through chaplaincies in ports in all continents of the world.

Fr. Prigol shared his fascination with seafarers when he first took the reins of Aos in 2009.

“The idea of a seafarer — coming from any corner of the Philippines to sail the seven seas — took time to sink in. Their journey from being a cadet up to the moment that they are hailed as the master of the ship fascinated me. It took me more than two years to understand these dynamics, but I have always admired and appreciated them,” Fr. Prigol said.

Fr. Prigol, since childhood, has always been captivated by the idea and sight of ships as he grew up far from the sea. The pull of the sea and its people was ultimately put into perspective when he took part in Stella Maris’ Values Enhancement Seminar (VES) for graduating maritime students.

“Out of about 90 institutions offering maritime courses in the Philippines, we have been to 62. We visited them all by car, plane, inter-island boat, tricycle, jeepney, and bus. To be part of the student’s journey towards becoming a successful seafarer and focusing on the Filipino Core Values is a unique and rewarding experience,” he shared.

He has since become the confidante of seafarers, particularly those who are still on board.

“I enjoy being with them, listening to their stories. But what’s difficult is knowing that the dreams of some are ended by an unfortunate event that affects their health. The breadwinner then becomes a liability. Plans are turned upside down. It takes a lot of faith, courage, and determination to recover from that situation.”

As the pandemic hit the country last year, Stella Maris stood at the frontlines to extend assistance to the seafarers and their families. About 3,000 families and individuals benefited from its supply of necessities and accommodations. It was also present in the humanitarian aid given to the family and crew of the sunken Gulf Livestock 1 in the Sea of Japan.

Today, Fr. Prigol and Stella Maris continue with their mission of providing pastoral care to the seafarers and their families. In his free time, however, the affable priest enjoys gardening and living a simple life.

“My preferred Filipino dish? Dinuguan! It resembles the Brazilian ‘feijoada’”, he quipped.