Spain: Sailors’ Day. Mgr. Quinteiro Fiuza, “protection of the seas, essential to economy and sustenance”

“Take care of the seas, take care of their people” is the motto with which the Spanish Church will be celebrating the 2024 Seafarers’ Day that as usual is held on July 16th to coincide with the Day of its Patron Saint, Our Lady of Mount Carmel. In his message, Bishop Luis Quinteiro Fiuza, promoter of the Apostolate of the Sea, explains the meaning of this year’s motto: “In the current scenario of serious environmental problems and persistent disregard for seafarers’ needs and rights, especially in some countries, Mary calls us to take care of the seas and to take care of their people. Marine pollution is an urgent problem, supporting seafarers is a constant demand: we must take care of them”. Mgr. Quinteiro mentions the figures of the United Nations, according to which every year eight million tons of plastics get into the oceans, “killing marine life and threatening the human food chain. It is therefore extremely urgent that everyone be aware of the need to take care of the seas, which are so essential to our economy and generally to our sustenance”. In addition, mgr. Quinteiro places “special emphasis on taking care of seafarers, those whose work makes it possible to fish and to carry most of the goods we consume all over the world”. In this respect, he calls everyone “to raise their voices and ask to improve seafarers’ wellbeing in ports and on board ships” by urging “national and international civil authorities to use all human and financial means to preserve the seas”.
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