Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tai Chung (Fides Service) - For the first time, the local Church of Taiwan will celebrate Sea Sunday in communion with the universal Church, on Sunday, July 10. His Exc Mgr. Bosco Lin Ji Nan Bishop of Tai Nan and President of the Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People of the Episcopal Conference of Taiwan, has invited all to pray for the sailors of the world and their families. He also urged the faithful to participate in the celebration of this anniversary, which coincides with the feast of the holy Chinese martyrs of the local Church, invoking the protection of the Chinese martyrs on the sailors. He therefore urged to help raise the funds necessary for the pastoral care of seafarers. According to information received by Fides, Taiwan will participate in the XXIII World Congress of the Apostleship of the Sea, which will be held in Rome from 19 to 23 November 2012 "to reflect and share the challenges resulting from continuous changes in the maritime world".
In past years, the Diocese of Taiwan had joined the celebration of Sea Sunday to the Sunday of Immigrants, in the last Sunday of September. As reported by Fr. Eliseo Nasiere, MSP (Mission Society of the Philippines), Director of the Apostleship of the Sea in Taiwan, a solemn Eucharistic celebration in the 4 major ports in Taiwan for Sea Sunday will be held, besides a seminar, the procession and a conference have been scheduled, following the directions of the message issued by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, for the Day. The message says inter alia: "the celebration of Sea Sunday is a special occasion to raise awareness in Christian communities and in society in general, it is imperative for the service rendered by seamen, and to get to know the ministry, which, since 1920, the Chaplains and volunteers of the Apostleship of the Sea have held in many ports around the world ... In its fight for justice in the maritime world, the Apostleship of the Sea is guided by the principles of the Gospel and the teaching of the Social Doctrine of the Church". (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 07/06/2011)
