Shipbuilders and owners must
adopt stronger security measures to prevent their vessels from falling
prey to pirates, and international maritime organizations must be
committed to helping the families of sailors held hostage, the Vatican
said.
"The phenomenon is not decreasing, considering that already (in 2011)
there have been 214 new episodes with 26 ships and 522 sailors still
held hostage by pirates," said a statement May 26 from the Pontifical
Council for Migrants and Travelers.
The council, which discussed the piracy issue in February at a meeting
of regional directors of the Apostleship of the Sea, said international
organizations have focused on "safeguarding ships and their cargoes.
Unfortunately, little attention is given to the sailors and, especially,
to their families during and after their kidnapping, leaving shipping
companies with the responsibility of assisting those involved."
The Vatican called on the international community to continue looking
for ways to increase maritime safety, but also to make a greater
commitment to fighting the root causes of piracy, which are poverty and
social unrest, as seen in the concentration of piracy cases off the
coast of Somalia.
Addressing the sailors held hostage, the Vatican urged them not to lose hope and to keep their faith strong.
Addressing the hostages' family members, the pontifical council said
they should feel free to turn to the Apostleship of the Sea or any
Stella Maris seafarers' center anywhere in the world for support and
assistance.
The Vatican asked all Christians to pray that God would protect the
people who work on the seas and it appealed to pirates to "stop their
criminal activities" and recognize that their hostages deserve to be
treated with respect.
The Apostleship of the Sea, it said, is ready to work with governments,
international organizations, shipping lines and seafarers' unions "to
alleviate the suffering of the sailors held hostage and to give
spiritual and psychological support to their families."