Chaplains working in mega airports are Apostles of our times: Cardinal Veglio

June 16, 2012: ‘There is a certain torpor of the Christian conscience in more developed countries, a decline in attendance at Sunday Mass because of secularization. However, the global picture shows that the church is growing in Africa, Asia, and Latin America’ said Cardinal Antonio Maria Veglio, president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.

He was speaking to Vatican Radio on the final outcome of the 15^th World Seminar of Catholic Civil Aviation Chaplains and members of the chaplaincy, held in Rome from 11 to 14 June, on the theme "New Evangelization in the world of civil aviation."

According to him, the seminar was positive and that the participants - priests, religious and laity - have been actively involved in all discussions. The Seminar participants have accepted the invitation of Pope Benedict XVI "to be effective tools in helping people" through the door of faith to meet Christ, cardinal Veglio said.

The chaplains who work in the mega airports are the apostles of our times, he said. They announce the Gospel with their presence, words and example. We must awaken in each person enthusiasm and courage that characterized the early Church to be proclaimers of the gospel.

To be effective evangelists, as living witnesses of the Gospel of Christ, they are encouraged to leverage their human formation that leads them also to express feelings of compassion and reconciliation. At large airports, the Chaplains are attentive and sensitive to different churches and different religious traditions in an ecumenical and inter-religious way, Cardinal Veglio added.

Chaplains and pastoral workers were encouraged to continue to be "heart friendly" - open to dialogue, listening and understanding. The Cardinal said that Pope Benedict XVI had recalled how in this ministry there is a model and patroness, Our Lady of Loreto, patron saint of all travelers on the plane.