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Global maritime charity 'Stella Maris' to expand PH seafarer support

Philippines | National

Global maritime charity 'Stella Maris' to expand PH seafarer support

By Rhowen Del Rosario

To better serve the country’s seafaring population, Bishop Ruperto Santos, the promoter of Stella Maris-Philippines for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), announced plans to open new Stella Maris Centers.

Bishop Ruperto Santos.jpeg — (Bishop Ruperto Santos / Photo from CBCP)

"Our current presence in only 15 archdioceses and dioceses limits our reach," Santos said in a CBCP statement on Friday, Nov. 24.

"We aim to establish new centers to continue providing pastoral care to more seafarers and their families," he added during the Stella Maris network's meeting held in Sao Paulo, Brazil from Nov. 20 to 23.

Addressing the issue of financial constraints, Santos emphasized Stella Maris' commitment to generating resources to support programs and services to address the shortage of volunteers and paid workers.

Santos also highlighted Filipino seafarers' significant contribution to the country's economy, remitting an average of $5 billion every year.

As of 2022, approximately 490,000 Filipino seafarers were working worldwide, according to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

Furthermore, Santos vowed to support Filipino seafarers saying, "We will always be by their side, providing hope, care, and inspiration."

"Whatever challenges that our seafarers may face will purify them and make them stronger," he added.

Related Tags

Catholic Bishopsâ€™ Conference of the Philippines bishop ruperto santos CBCP

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