As part of the Claretian Missionaries ongoing commitment to accompany the marginalized and proclaim the Gospel in the peripheries, the Claretian presence in New Zealand is actively supporting the spiritual and human needs of seafarers at the Port of Tauranga—New Zealand’s busiest port.
Through volunteer involvement with Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) and the ecumenical United Seafarers’ Mission (USM) in Tauranga, Claretian missionaries are contributing to a ministry that reaches thousands of seafarers each year. The USM Centre (Oceania House, Mount Maunganui), established in 2001 welcomes approximately 12,000 seafarers annually with hospitality, practical assistance, and pastoral care.
Key elements of this Claretian-supported ministry include:
- Spiritual accompaniment: Offering blessings, Holy Mass (onboard when possible), Confessions, and prayer for crews who often spend 9+ months at sea without access to sacraments.
- Counselling and listening: Providing emotional and spiritual support to combat isolation, homesickness, and the stresses of maritime life.
- Welfare advocacy: Engaging with captains and crews to verify working conditions, facilities, and rights under the Maritime Labour Convention, followed by online reports accessible to international authorities.
- Practical help: Volunteering at the centre and driving the minibus to take seafarers into the city for shopping, recreation, or family communication—offering a brief moment of normalcy and dignity.
A Claretian Missionary completed the Merchant Navy Welfare Board Ship Welfare Visitor Course and Port Induction Course, receiving official authorization to board vessels. This now positions the team authorized ship visitors at Tauranga, which sees nearly 1,500 cargo ships and additional cruise vessels each year, bringing thousands of multinational crew members – many Catholic – from countries such as the Europe, Philippines and India.
This maritime apostolate reflects the Claretian charism of reaching the forgotten and proclaiming God’s love in places far from traditional parishes. By collaborating ecumenically and responding to modern needs, the Claretian Mission in New Zealand continues to live out St. Anthony Mary Claret’s vision: to bring mercy and solidarity to those on the margins – even those who sail the world’s oceans.
Source: Fr. Sojan Karoor Abraham, CMF
