Korean apostles of the sea aim to serve seafarers better

Korean apostles of the sea aim to serve seafarers better
August 16, 2021 https://www.ucanews.com/news/korean-apostles-of-the-sea-aim-to-serve-sea...

The maritime apostolic ministry offers spiritual and pastoral services to sailors and their families across the globe

The South Korean branches of a global Catholic maritime ministry are gearing up to mark centenary celebrations with commitments to serve all seafarers with better spiritual and pastoral care in coming days.

The Apostleship of the Sea is a Catholic apostolic ministry for seafarers sponsored by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. The ministry was renamed as Stella Maris (the Star of Sea), the Latin name for Virgin Mary, last year.

The ministry was established on Oct. 4, 1920, at the first Maritime Pastoral Conference in Glasgow, Scotland. It was officially recognized by Pope Pius XI in 1922.

Following suggestions from the Holy See, the ministry was introduced in South Korea in 1978, reported the Catholic Times of Korea. The ministry has branches in the Catholic dioceses of Busan, Incheon and Suwon.

Although the ministry marked its 100th year in 2020, the celebration was suspended to due to the Covid-19 pandemic and will be celebrated on a limited scale, church officials said.

Father Kim Hyung, head of the maritime pastoral ministry in Busan Diocese, noted that the Korean Church has been helping foreign sailors since the ministry started in Busan in 1978.

Among the main services of the ministry are offering onboard Masses for foreign sailors and providing spiritual support such as hearing confessions.

Ministry teams also provide counseling about human rights and welfare services for seafarers in times of crisis such as arrest and jailing.

“We operate a shelter, hold ship-blessing ceremonies and provide necessary supplies as much as possible,” Father Kim said.

Busan Diocese’s maritime ministry is unique as it also runs a marine family pastoral ministry that provides services to family members who require spiritual help during long absences of sailors, the priest said.