INTERNATIONAL QUESTIONARE RESULTS

The totals do not always match as often the responses do not give answers to all the questions and some replied “Yes and No” to the same question.

1. As National Director or Regional Coordinator, do you have support from your Bishops? Remarks: The majority feel they have support, although not to the extent they would have wished. The liaison is often through the Bishops’ conference or Migrants Commission. Often the cooperation is judged on whether chaplains are regularly appointed and on the financial support available. An area of concern is North America (excluding Canada).

2. Do you have appointed chaplains in the main ports? Remarks: The appointed “Chaplains” could be either priests, deacons, sisters or lay pastoral agents. Many chaplaincies do exist thanks to volunteers supported by the local parishes. Many appointed chaplains have no clear idea of their mission and responsibilities and in addition he has too many other responsibilities.

3. AOS Personnel: Do you rely on lay personnel/volunteers? Are they trained /motivated? Remarks: A lot of effort is being put in training, but the effort is not uniform. Certain countries rely on training offered from outside, while others organise their own training. There are of course AOS meetings, conferences and other more general training and spiritual formation at parish and diocesan level. All volunteers are very motivated either spiritually or because they are or have been connected professionally, have familial ties or otherwise with the maritime industry.

4. Are seafarers receiving all the services they require in your area? Remarks: AOS is not acting alone but in collaboration with other missions, port Authorities and NGOs. It is important to develop a spirit of collaboration as AOS by itself is not able to respond to all the needs and demands. It is essential however to maintain a specific presence in view of the great number of Catholics who are seafarers and who need specific sacramental and pastoral care.

5a. Are there Port welfare committees in your Ports? Remarks: PWC do exist but in many areas they are not a priority. Participation to PWC is very much encouraged by ICSW, who sees it as a means for financial support and for providing recognition to the work being done by all the missions, hence making it easier to access port facilities and ships. 5b. Are their developments a high priority?

6a. Do you have good ecumenical co-operation with other churches or ecclesial communities? Remarks: In general there are good ecumenical relations. If there are problems, usually they are individual and localised. 6b. Do you have good inter- religious dialogue/relations with other religions?

7. Do you see mobile services and centres as more effective in the future? Remarks. Many do not see the importance of mobile centres especially when there are seafarers centres (and transport) already established. The other problem is their cost. In outlying ports where there are no established centres, mobile units could be a solution.

8. Funding of Pastoral Activities: Do you have a good /sufficient financial structure? Remarks: Many AOS in developing countries are in very difficult financial situations. It is difficult to organise fundraising without seeming to compete with similar initiatives by local parishes or dioceses. Often AOS is not seen as a priority. At the same time it is necessary to find ways and means to encourage all national AOS to be financially independent and not to always rely on external aid.

9. Services rated in importance » 1)The supply of pastoral care / support The onboard supply of religious services Ship, hospital and prison visiting Gangway Ministry Onboard access to purchases, phone cards, toiletries etc Meeting place away from ship (games, pool, table tennis, TV/video) 2) Access to Trade Unions Bus service from ship to local shopping centre A place to meet and mix with other crews nationalities Access to , internet and postal facilities Money exchange and transfer Meeting place away from ship (accommodation, food and drink) 3) Support Services for families of seafarers Access to multi-denominational/faith, place/s of worship National/local website Newspapers, library and news service (e.g. Balita) Access to sporting facilities Supply of protective clothing

10. Is there an AOS presence among those involved In yachting, competition/recreational sailing? Remarks: A meeting like the one on Cruise ships (Dunkerque 2005) could help move forward this area of our pastoral concern.

11. Is cruise ship chaplaincy present/active in your area? Remarks: The Dunkerque meeting in 2005 provided useful suggestions, which should be followed through.

12. Do you see the needs for Seafarer support increasing in the future? Remarks. The general agreement is that given the current situation of the maritime industry, the needs of seafarers for support will keep increasing

13. With the Fishing Sector and the newly formed International Fishing Committee, what do you feel should be done in priority to support the fishers and fish workers? Remarks: AOS has traditionally been very much involved with fishing communities. Much of the work is being done by local parishes and local groups of volunteers, and this is a good thing. The aim of AOS is not to replace them but to empower them and be a resource for the local parishes and initiatives so that they can increase/improve their outreach. Please refer to regional comments for Question 13 in your full paper.

14. As the Fishing Sector are usually small communities and often isolated, how do you feel we could best carry out the mission of the Church and support these fish workers? To carry out this mission, do you feel that AOS chaplains need specialised training? Remarks: There is general agreement that the pastoral care to fishers is at the heart of our apostolate and that specific training is essential.

15. Does fishing constitute an important professional activity in your area? What type of fishing takes place in your region (industrial, artisanal, traditional Remarks: There are literally millions of people earning a scant living by fishing. Many practice this profession because they have not found any other gainful way to earn their living and provide for their families.. In many countries they have no social status or professional recognition and are socially marginalized.. They are exploited and have little opportunity to better their situation and to educate their children. They are the poorest of the poor.

16a. Are there fishers associations/organisations in your area? Remarks. Although many of the contacts are being maintained by local parishes, AOS has an important coordination role in helping to set up national, regional and international networks. 16b. Are you in contact with them?

17. Do local Parishes/communities get involved? Remarks. With their odd and long hours of work and also because of the remoteness and marginalisation of fishers’ communities, many parishes find it difficult to establish a solid base there.

18. In conclusion, list the main issues facing the modern seafarer/fisher and their families: The regional comments are all very relevant, and you are encouraged to read these in their entirety. The predominant answers are: Less time to go ashore due to longer hours of work Loneliness and a feeling of hopelessness Lack of job security and compensation Harassment and exploitation Misunderstandings leading to tension between culturally mixed crews Piracy AIDS and health related problems