Japanese bishops’ message for Sea Sunday

While drawing attention to the situation of seafarers whose difficulties and hardships are hardly on the media, Japan’s Catholic bishops are also urging the faithful to help protect the seas.  In a message entitled “On the Same Ship — with Our Father’s Mercy” on the occasion of this year’s Sea Sunday, July 10,  Bishop Michael Goro Matsuura of Nagoya, Chairperson of the Catholic Commission of Japan for Migrants, Refugees and People on the Move,  noted that the difficulties that people working on the sea face are not natural threats alone. “Although the sea is becoming even more dangerous because of nuclear test sites and dumping-of radioactive and other waste, most of such cases are hidden without being reported by the media.”  “Seafarers and other people living with the sea, as well as all marine species are threatened and damaged by such human activities,” he observed.    Describing the sea as a marvelous gift of God’s creation, Bishop Matsuura, “we must not contaminate the sea for the sake of human ego.”  He argued that “all of us receive our daily bread from the sea through people working on the sea.”  “Since we are all on board the same ship, we should pay equal attention to workers regardless of whether they are on the ground or the sea, and support each other.”  Bishop Matsuura concluded urging prayers for seafarers and their families.  (Source: CBCJ)