The second Sunday of July each year is designated as Sea Sunday. The Apostleship of the Sea, together with other Christian denominations, encourages the faithful to offer special prayers for seafarers and their families. The local Church also raises awareness and offers support for these mariners, who leave their homes to work on the vast ocean and provide for their families.
According to the 2026 Seafarer Workforce Report, published by the International Chamber of Shipping [ICS] and BIMCO, there are currently around 2.57 million seafarers serving on 85,148 merchant ships worldwide, sustaining global freight trade.
The Apostleship of the Sea is a global Catholic network dedicated to providing pastoral care for those who work at sea. Last November, Pope Leo XIV personally signed a document confirming the legal status of the apostleship, stating, “The Church fervently desires to continue providing spiritual care for seafarers’ ministry with passion and generosity.”
The apostleship’s work is overseen by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Michael Cardinal Czerny, prefect of the dicastery, wrote a message for this year’s Sea Sunday titled “Beyond Cargo and Trade: The Human Face of the Sea.” He reminded the faithful that, while it is easy to focus on maritime trade, we must not forget the workers who make it possible: “for they are persons created in the image and likeness of God, possessing an inviolable dignity.” Cardinal Czerny emphasised that every seafarer has a story and “deserves to be seen, respected, cherished, and valued.”
The Apostleship of the Sea provides pastoral care to seafarers worldwide, tending to their physical, mental, and spiritual needs in the spirit of the gospel. The majority of seafarers come from the Philippines, Russia, India, China, and Indonesia. When crew members work in unfamiliar places, they often face labour disputes resulting from poor working conditions or exploitation by shipping companies. Many find themselves isolated, helpless, and forced to endure in silence.
In Hong Kong, up until July 2024, the Apostleship of the Sea collaborated with the Mission to Seafarers [Anglican], the Danish Seamen’s Church, and the German Seamen’s Church to care for seafarers passing through the port. Port chaplain, Divine Word Father Valan Arockiaswarmy, and Deacon Kwan Chung-wah, are responsible for this ministry. They visit ships, meet seafarers, and listen to their concerns in order to address their immediate needs.
Father Arockiaswarmy also celebrates Mass for the seafarers.
According to international standards, seafarers should not spend more than nine months per year working at sea. International standards limit seafarers to nine months at sea per year, yet this is often ignored—especially during conflict. Recent blockades, such as in the Strait of Hormuz, have left crews stranded without supplies.
Those in power too often neglect seafarers’ needs. Pope Leo XIV urges leaders to resolve disputes through dialogue and put people first.
On Sea Sunday, let us remember seafarers’ dedication and work together to protect their dignity and safety. SE
