Category: Uncategorized

Sea Sunday 2025 Vatican message to seafarers and fishers

Posted on July 8, 2025 by - Uncategorized

Vatican Calls Seafarers and Fishers “Pilgrims of Hope, Prophets of Peace” in its Sea Sunday 2025 message

Vatican Calls Seafarers and Fishers “Pilgrims of Hope, Prophets of Peace”

Seafarers and fishers are in the heart of the Church and serve as “pilgrims of hope” and “prophets of peace”, the Vatican has said in a message released ahead of Sea Sunday, which will be marked on 13 July this year.

In a powerful statement, Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, reaffirmed the Church’s deep commitment to those who work at sea.

“We want all those who work at sea to know that they are in the heart of the Church,” the Cardinal said. “They are not alone in their demands for justice, dignity and joy.”

Addressing seafarers and fishers directly, Cardinal Czerny continued: “You are pilgrims of hope every time you work with care and love; every time you keep alive the bonds with your families and your communities; every time that in the face of social and environmental injustice you organise yourselves to react and respond courageously and constructively.”

Calling them to a prophetic role, he added: “We ask you to be bridges even between enemy countries, prophets of peace.”

Often the work of seafarers and fishers remains invisible to many. The Cardinal’s message asks the wider Church to consider how people work in ports and on ships, their rights, conditions of safety on board, and access to material and spiritual assistance.

On Sea Sunday, 13 July, Stella Maris—the Catholic Church’s maritime charity—invites parishes and communities to pray for those who work at sea and to support the charity’s work providing practical, pastoral and spiritual support to seafarers, fishers and their families in ports across the world.

This Sea Sunday, the Church gives thanks for the indispensable role seafarers and fishers play in all our lives and prays for their protection, health and peace of mind.

The full text of the Cardinal’s statement can be found here https://www.humandevelopment.va/content/dam/sviluppoumano/news/2025-news/06-giugno/messaggio-domenica-del-mare/EN-Msg-Domenica-del-Mare-2025.pdf

Day of the Seafarer 2025 Message

Posted on June 25, 2025 by - Uncategorized

To mark this year’s Day of the Seafarer on 25th June, our CEO Tim Hill MBE and Chair of Trustees Esteban Pacha have sent this letter to His Excellency Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization. Here’s the text of the letter.

Dear Secretary General,

On behalf of Stella Maris, the maritime charity of the Catholic Church, we express our full support
for this year’s Day of the Seafarer campaign “My Harassment-Free Ship.”

We welcome the IMO’s clear message that there is no place for violence or harassment at sea.
Every seafarer deserves to work in an environment where they are treated with dignity and
respect.

The values you outlined; humility, patience, listening, respect and accountability, align with the
values that guide our work. Through our network of chaplains and volunteer ship visitors, we
regularly support seafarers who have experienced isolation, bullying or abuse on board. Some
share their experiences openly, others feel unable to speak out. In both cases, the impact on their
mental health, morale and the wider onboard culture can be significant.

We know that early intervention, education and access to support networks make a real difference,
and we are particularly encouraged by your focus on listening to seafarers’ voices and learning
from their stories.

We also welcome the planned changes to the STCW Code to ensure all seafarers are trained in
preventing and addressing harassment. Alongside this, the development of accessible support
networks will give crew members the confidence to raise concerns and seek help when needed.

Stella Maris remains committed to supporting seafarers’ welfare and promoting dignity at sea. We
will continue to offer pastoral care and practical assistance to all seafarers and to encourage a
culture of respect and accountability throughout the maritime sector.

We are pleased to support the My Harassment-Free Ship campaign and look forward to working
with the IMO and other partners to help build a maritime industry where every seafarer can work
without fear of harassment. Please be assured of our ongoing support.

New Stella Maris chaplain appointed for UK Southern region ports

Posted on June 17, 2025 by - Uncategorized

Stella Maris UK has appointed Luke Phillips as its Regional Port Chaplain for Southern Ports and Cruise Chaplaincy Coordinator.

Luke will be responsible for providing practical, pastoral, and spiritual support to seafarers in the ports of Southampton, Portsmouth, Shoreham, Fawley, Poole, Portland, Weymouth, Channel Islands, & Isle of Wight. In addition to his port chaplaincy duties, he will also take on national responsibility for coordinating Stella Maris’ cruise chaplaincy work, supporting chaplains at sea and helping ensure that Catholic crew members have access to the Sacraments while on board.

“I hope to bring a cheerful face, a listening ear, and a reliable source of support in the southern ports, providing as much help as is needed to seafarers and fishers practically, pastorally and spiritually,” says Luke.

“And as cruise chaplain coordinator, I will be building upon the network Stella Maris already has in place to support cruise chaplains at sea so that they can deliver appropriate practical and pastoral care to the crews on board. This is a crucial part of Stella Maris’ cruise ministry – not only do we provide pastoral care to the many hundreds of workers on these ships, we also deliver Mass and Sacrament’s during Easter and Christmas,” he adds.

Luke is an active parishioner of Sacred Heart, Bournemouth (Bournemouth Oratory in Formation). He serves in the sanctuary at Mass and is an active Brother of the Secular Oratory. His faith was a driving factor in his decision to join Stella Maris. His call to chaplaincy became clearer following a visit to the port of Southampton where he met with Deacon Nick O’Neill, Senior Area Port Chaplain for the South of England & Wales, and fellow chaplain, Gregory Hogan, Port Chaplain for Southern Ports.

“After praying for some time, I realised this is the work God has laid out for me and what I must do, where I could best serve seafarers and fishers and the Church.”

Before joining Stella Maris, Luke served as a Corporal in the Royal Marines for eight years. In 2009, he started a career in maritime security provision taking on key roles including Maritime Operations Officer, Anti-Piracy Team Leader, Security Manager, and Regional Operations Manager in complex global environments.

One of his job functions was to provide best management practice advice on vessel hardening measures and armed protection for commercial shipping encountering the threat of Somali Piracy.

The skills and qualifications Luke earned during his long-term career gives him a deep understanding of the challenges that seafarers face currently, given the heightened security and geopolitical tensions globally.

True to his nature of always being in service to others, Luke spends his free time with several fellowship and prayer groups. He leads a Catholic Men’s Group in Dorset and participates in pilgrimages. Last year, he joined the Latin Mass Society on pilgrimage from the Cathedral City of Ely to Walsingham National Shrine. He also participated in the Marian Franciscans pilgrimage from Canterbury to Ramsgate.

His other pursuits away from work include attending Holy Hours, spiritual reading, the outdoors and spending time with family.

Stella Maris UK CEO Tim Hill welcomed Luke’s appointment: “Luke brings not only professional expertise but also a deep personal commitment to the mission of Stella Maris. We are confident he will bring great strength to our chaplaincy team, offering meaningful support to the men and women who work at sea, and strengthening our cruise chaplaincy ministry.”

COVID-19: HOW WE ARE SUPPORTING SEAFARERS

Posted on April 6, 2020 by - Uncategorized

COVID-19: HOW WE ARE SUPPORTING SEAFARERS

Stella Maris chaplains continue to provide support to seafarers, fishers and their families during the Covid-19 crisis, working in close partnership with Stella Maris colleagues around the world, the maritime industry, trades unions and others.

This includes undertaking port visits in order to provide welfare packages and other support to seafarers and fishers, with the permission of port authorities and in full compliance with Government directives. We also continue to support seafarers, fishers and their families via telephone social media.

Please continue to pray for seafarers, fishers, their families and the mission of Stella Maris.

Here's just one example of how are chaplains and ship visitors in Great Britain are supporting seafarers and fishers.

Our Immingham port chaplain Bryony Watson recently delivered some welfare packages to seafarers in port. This is one of the crew members from Arklow Day who was very grateful to receive a package. He has been onboard for 5 months and was due to be going home next month but will probably have his contract extended.

Stella Maris port chaplain Bryony Watson recently delivered welfare packages to seafarers

More examples of how Stella Maris Great Britain are helping seafarers and fishers can be found here.

See more examples

And here's an example of how are chaplains and ship visitors around the world are supporting seafarers and fishers.

Good work from our Stella Maris colleagues in Charleston, South Carolina who delivered some shopping to these crew who needed to top up on supplies. The seafarers were not allowed shore leave due to restrictions duirng Covid-19.
Stella Maris Charleston, South Carolina delivering provisions to seafarers

More examples of how our Stella Maris is helping seafarers and fishers around the world can be found here.
See more examples

Can our chaplains help?

Get contact details of our chaplains in over 40 countries here.

Resources for seafarers

Faith resources for seafarers during Covid-19.

Practical advise and how to stay safe and well during Covid-19.

Sharing and reflections by Fr Colum Kelly our Chaplain for Pastoral Formation to sustain us spiritually 

Sunday Gospel readings, sharings and prayer by Charles Stuart our Southampton port chaplain and John Fogarty Dover & Medway port chaplain – visit our YouTube channel here.

 

Stella Maris supports seafarers on the Covid-19 front line

Posted on April 15, 2020 by - Uncategorized

Stella Maris supports seafarers on the Covid-19 front line

By Greg Watts

With seafarers in the front line of maintaining the world’s supply of food, fuel and medical supplies and equipment through the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) port chaplains are continuing to provide them with practical help and pastoral care.

Its 230 chaplains, who work in over 300 ports in 41 countries, are using the telephone, social media and the port authorities to keep in contact with seafarers and to provide them with sim cards, so they can contact their families; toiletries; and other basic items.

In the Philippines, where around a third of the world’s 1.5 million seafarers come from, port chaplain in Manila and Stella Maris regional coordinator, Fr Paulo Prigol and his team are accommodating 120 seafarers in three seafarers’ centres during lockdown and providing them with daily meals.

“As of now food supply is available and we are allowed to go to the supermarket once or twice a week only. The local government units have issued identification cards for each centre.”

He added that the centres, which are cleaned daily with disinfectant, each have a gym, cable TV, and a good internet service with free Wi-Fi.

“At this moment of national lockdown, there is no way of visiting the fishers, said Fr. Rico Talisic, port chaplain in Cape Town, South Africa. “But I have contact with some of them who are on the dock. Everyday I send messages to them asking how are they, giving them updates of what is going on here in Cape and asking them to be careful and stay safe.”

Fr Talisic has been providing seafarers with data and Sim cards. “With the communication I have with them, I learned there is nothing to worry about except that many of them have no more cell phone credits to continue their communication with their family and friends and to have access the outside world beyond the port.”

In Taiwan, Fr Yance Guntur, port chaplain in Kaohsiung, has distributed hand sanitisers and face masks to a group of fishermen, who have been barred from leaving their vessels.

While the seamen's club in Ghent, Belgium, has been closed, port chaplain Fr André Quintelier and his team of volunteer ship visitors are still allowed to continue visiting vessels, but must adhere to strict health and safety guidelines.

In the UK, port chaplain to the Tyne Paul Atkinson has been putting together packages of toiletries, chocolate and prayer books for seafarers. These are delivered to ships by the harbour master, port pilots, or shipping agents.

"This way we can show our care and support for seafarers in a different way. And show we are still alongside them as they continue to sail the seas to support their families," said Paul.

Elsewhere, Steve Willows, a port chaplain in Immingham, Lincolnshire, is making rosaries with twine for seafarers, after watching a You Tube video explaining how to do it.

Esteban Pacha, chair of trustees for Stella Maris in Great Britain, and a former ship’s captain, said, “In this time of societal upheaval, ensuring the continuity of maritime trade is vital for the global supply chain and global trade flows, including currently crucial items such as vital medical supplies and equipment, as well as food and energy.

“We would not have these items were it not for seafarers. They might not be visible to us, but our lives depend on them, especially at this critical period for our world.”

* To find out more about how Stella Maris is supporting seafarers during coronavirus in Great Britain click here.

* To see how our global port chaplains are supporting seafarers during this pandemic go here.

Pastoral visits to ship visitors

Posted on May 12, 2020 by - Uncategorized

Whilst continuing to be of service to seafarers and fishers, our port chaplains are also ensuring that their teams of volunteers  – our ship visitors – are not forgotten during the Covid-19  lockdown. 

Our Dover and Medway port chaplain John Fogarty is one example. Recently he paid a pastoral visit to one of his ship visitors, Bob Bushnell, who along with his wife Sue have been on lockdown for several weeks now.
Stella Maris chaplain John Fogarty and ship visitor Bob Bushnell

Bob was in good form as always and really looking forward starting visiting again.

"I’m meeting with a ship visitor at home each week as this is the least I can do for our faithful volunteers who serve our people of the sea so well. Bob and Sue have just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary too so many congrats to them on that achievement as well," John says.

In another pastoral visit John met John Rutland who has been looking after operations in Sheernes on the Isle of Sheppey for more than 10 years now.

John says both are looking forward to getting back to normal and to start working one of their current projects, updating the Seafarers Room in Sheerness Docks.  

Just one of many ways Stella Maris port chaplains are keeping in contact with our volunteers and ensuring that while being asked to stay home they are not isolated.

Stella Maris chaplain John Fogarty with ship visitor John Rutland

* You can listen to John sharing and singing prayers in the weekly Sunday Gospel Reading and Prayer videos Stella Maris  has started producing for cruise ship crews. Go here to see the videos.