By Matters India Reporter
Kaohsiung City: Promote the integral human development of migrants, refugees and sea fearers, those engaged in serving seafarers were told.
Father Ramesh Baliarsingh, an Indian participant of the ongoing 24th world congress of the Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) now underway in Taiwan says one of the key messages from the meet was the need to promote integral development of migrants and refugees as a whole.
“The congress gave me a better idea to work for the welfare of the migrants and seafarers across the globe,” the priest told Matters India.
Some other topics the congress discussed were trafficking in the Church, the teaching of Pope Francis, actions to protect and promote decent work for all migrants and refugees including in the fishery industry.
The congress also dealt with theology of the mission and ministry of the Apostleship of the Sea, human rights situations of migrants and seafarers in different parts of the world, responding to the challenges of times toward a renewal model of AaS within the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, said the native of Pardip Port, Odisha and pastor of St. Mary’s Church (Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Archdiocese).
He is among seven priests and a bishop from India attending the congress. At least 252 delegates from 52 countries are attending it.
Cardinal Peter K.A. Turkson, prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, is one of the key speakers at the meet.
A message from Pope Francis on the opening day urged delegates to become the Church that harbors the mystery of God that can attract people to him.
Taiwan’s vice president Chen Chien-jen opened the six-day congress on October 1.