VATICAN (CNS): As travel restrictions continue in the hope of slowing the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), Pope Francis offered his prayers and solidarity to those who work at sea and have either been prevented from going ashore or have not been able to work.
In a video message on June 17, the pope told seafarers and people who fish for a living that “in these past months, your lives and your work have seen significant changes; you have had to make, and are continuing to make, many sacrifices.”
The pope said, “Long periods spent aboard ships without being able to disembark, separation from families, friends and native countries, fear of infection—all these things are a heavy burden to bear, now more than ever.”
Antonio Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations (UN), issued an appeal on June 12 asking governments to classify seafarers as “essential workers” so that those blocked on ships in port could go ashore and so that new crews could rotate in to keep the sea shipping industry going.
“The ongoing crisis is having a direct impact on the shipping industry, which transports more than 80 per cent of traded goods—including vital medical supplies, food and other basic necessities—critical for the Covid-19 response and recovery,” the UN said in statement.
Due to Covid-related travel restrictions, hundreds of thousands of the world’s two million seafarers have been “stranded at sea for months,” Guterres said.
In late April, the International Labour Organisation reported that some 90,000 seafarers were stuck on cruise ships—which had no passengers—due to Covid-19 travel restrictions and that in some ports not even seafarers in need of medical attention were allowed to go to onshore hospitals.
On other ships, the shipping company forbade crews from disembarking for fear that they could bring the coronavirus on board when they returned.
Expressing gratitude to seafarers and fisher-folk for the work they do, Pope Francis also assured them that they are not alone and are not forgotten.
“Your work at sea often keeps you apart from others, but you are close to me in my thoughts and prayers and in those of your chaplains and the volunteers of Stella Maris,” the centres around the world run by the Apostleship of the Sea.
“Today I would like to offer you a message and a prayer of hope, comfort and consolation in the face of whatever hardships you have to endure,” the pope said, adding, “I would also offer a word of encouragement to all those who work with you in providing pastoral care for maritime personnel.”
The pope said, “May the Lord bless each of you, your work and your families and may the Virgin Mary, Star of the Sea, protect you always.”
