APOSTLESHIP OF THE SEA AND THE WORLD OF REGATTAS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 14, 2003 (VIS) - A communique published by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People stated that the delegation from the council that visited Auckland, New Zealand January 11-22 "confirmed the preliminary proposition that the field of the Apostleship of the Sea should extend to ministering to the increasing numbers of professional sailors taking part in regattas like the America's Cup and of people sailing on power yachts ... for work or recreation."

The communique noted that more than 2,500 people, including children, who were in Auckland for the first part of the Cup races, lived there for 15 to 18 months. The visit by the delegation "at first caused surprise to many" but after informative meetings with team members, including sailors, financial backers and engineers, interviews and conversations with civil servants and the media, "it proved that the Church's interest was welcome by the sailors themselves and the delegation's approach was valuable."

A reflection on the role of the Church during this international event, said the press release, revealed the need for the local Church to anticipate in the future "what the actual pastoral and practical needs of the Cup's people would be and how to address them. This could be done ecumenically and the help of some external support may be required."

"It is to be regretted however that the network of the Apostleship of the Sea Chaplaincies and Stella Maris centers ... is practically unknown to people in regattas or in yachting." In these areas "the faithful are called to witness to their Christian life and they need the 'specific pastoral care' ... provided by the Apostleship of the Sea."

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