Holy See calls for special meeting to look at ways to help fishermen

Published: 2005-01-12

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In an effort to respond to the needs of thousands of fishermen left destitute by the Dec. 26 tsunamis, the Holy See called for a special meeting of the Apostleship of the Sea in late January. National and regional Apostleship of the Sea representatives from six of the 12 countries affected by the tsunamis planned to attend the meeting in Rome. As of Jan. 12, a date for the meeting had not been set. Together with members of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers, the apostleship representatives will determine what concrete help they can offer affected fishing communities in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia and Bangladesh. Millions of people have been left homeless by the deadly tidal waves, with people belonging to fishing communities along the coastlines of the Indian Ocean being the hardest hit. The Apostleship of the Sea, which operates under the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers, is an international network of chaplains and volunteers who serve the pastoral and social needs of seafarers and their families.

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