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XXII AOS World Congress
Gdynia, Poland, 24-29 June 2007
In solidarity with the People of
the Sea as witnesses of hope,
through proclamation of the
Word, Liturgy and Diakonia.
The Congress was attended by 270 delegates from 60
countries. Delegates included clergy, lay employees,
volunteers, maritime personnel, observers and guests.
The Congress gathered together to reflect on the spirituality of
the Apostleship of the Sea and its specific contribution to the maritime world.
The theme of the congress was "In Solidarity with the
People of the Sea as Witnesses of Hope through Proclamation
of the Word, Liturgy and Diakonia". Inspired by this theme,
the Apostleship of the Sea is called to bring a “Christian humanism
of hope” to the maritime world, through our presence and
testimony in seafaring and fishing communities.
The Church’s deepest nature is
expressed in her three-fold responsibility:
- of proclaiming the word of God (kerygma-martyria),
- celebrating the sacraments (leitourgia), and
- exercising the ministry of charity (diakonia).
These duties presuppose each other
and are inseparable. For the Church, charity is not a kind
of welfare activity which could equally well be left to
others, but is part of her nature, an indispensable
expression of her very being. Pope Benedict XVI, Deus
Caritas Est, Para 25
These words of Pope Benedict XVI encapsulate the
principles of the Catholic Church and all her agencies. The
Apostleship of the Sea is the apostolic work of the Catholic
Church caring for the People of the Sea, the Church for all
those who make their living from the oceans of the world:
seafarers, fishers, their families, and their communities. |
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Congress Logo
The XXII AOS World Congress logo is centred on the Cross. The circle represents
our world with seafarers moving from the deepest blue of the
ocean into the lighter areas which culminate with the Church
represented by the illuminated area. The red at the foot of
the Cross represents the sacrifice of Christ for us all.
The diamond represents the national colours of Poland and
the four points of the compass. The surrounding square
encompasses other elements of the logo and symbolises
solidarity. The anchor, the maritime symbol par excellence
and symbol of our faith and hope, stretches across the world
embracing all nations, races and creeds and, of course, the
People of the Sea.
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