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In May 2008, AOS personnel from the ports of France gathered in Lisieux for their annual conference. Also present were AOS European regional co-ordinator Fr Edward Pracz and Bishop Claude Schockert who is responsible for Migrants and Itinerant People at the Bishops' Conference of France.
The theme of the conference was "living together, a challenge for today". Through a series of talks, discussions and workshops, delegates reflected on the theme of living together with the People of the Sea.
As one delegate from St Malo commented
"An interest in 'living together' means much more than the simple fact of co-existing in the same place"
Carmelite priest Fr Philippe Ugele told |
Conference found that merchant seafarers serving in multinational crews often live together very well. However cultural differences and the difficulties of learning a common language increase feelings of isolation. The pressure of work and short turnaround times make communication with families difficult. This reaffirms the importance of ship visiting and seafarers' centres
Fishers face the challenge of diminishing fish stocks, complicated regulations and quotas. They worry about the future of their profession. It is necessary to strengthen their professional solidarity, beyond local level. AOS will continue to work with associations of fishers' wives which are active in French ports.
Those involved in maritime leisure activities and shore-based professions are also People of the Sea. AOS is working with different groups to establish dialogue so that the sea can be a shared space and shared resource for all. Practical help is offerred where possible to undocumented migrant workers who arrive in our ports. Building relations with young people is one of our challenges.
Fr Robert Gaborit, outgoing general secretary and national director of AOS France, concluded
"The theme of 'living together' expresses universal fraternity in a practical sense which should unite men and women in this age. We draw this conviction from the Gospel and we endeavour to bear witness to it in the maritime world".
From left: Fr Robert Gaborit, Fr Guy Pasquier, Mr Philippe Martin |
Fr Robert has been involved with AOS France from its beginning. He was general secretary and national director for six years. As a young man, he worked on fishing boats. He remains active with AOS in the port of St Gilles Croix de Vie where he is a parish priest.
During the conference AOS France, known locally as Mission de la Mer, elected Fr Guy Pasquier to be the new general secretary and national director. Fr Guy is is a priest of the Mission de France movement and, in the tradition of worker priests, went to sea as an electrician. He lives in Le Havre.
Philippe Martin has been the president of AOS France since 2006. He joined the National Merchant Marine School in Le Havre in 1970 and AOS France during the same period. Philippe spent time at sea in a variety of roles including working as a North Sea pilot. Married with three children, he lives in Le Havre.
click here to read Fr Guy's account of his last voyage as a ship's electrician
