First of all, please accept my apology for not being able to meet you personally as I am still recovering from my liver disease. This is why I allow myself to ask Fr. Otfried Chan, Secretary General of the Chinese Regional Bishops' Conference, to address you on my behalf at the end of the conference.

The Chinese Regional Bishops' Conference feels very much honored to be chosen by the Vatican to host the 2nd Apostleship of the Sea Regional Conference. And I believe that your presence here will have a positive impact on the Church in Taiwan and hopefully also on the local government, in particular on its legislation for protecting migrants and seafarers and the application of the laws in the future.

I've found the following statistics on the Internet. Most of you must know it already. Around 90% of world trade is carried by the international shipping industry. There are over 50,000 merchant ships trading internationally, transporting every kind of cargo, which means that without shipping the import and export of goods on the scale necessary for the modern world, human development in the light of "Caritas in veritate" would not be possible. The worldwide population of seafarers serving on internationally trading merchant ships is estimated to be in the order of 466,000 officers and 721,000 ratings. The majority of the shipping industry's ratings are recruited from developing countries, especially the Far East and South East Asia, where most of participants of this conference come from. Therefore, the ultimate goal of the AOS chaplains should be more than just visiting and helping seafarers individually. Evangelizing the shipping industry and bringing its moral principles and decisions in harmony with God's kingdom on earth, this should be the long-term vision of AOS chaplains' ministry. Some may ask if this realistic. The Holy Scriptures never lie. If Christ says in Mt 28,18-19, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit", so how can He not include those who are in the statistics we've just heard? The Lord never asks us to impose the Gospel on anybody, but only to preach it to whomsoever we meet, so not only to sailors preferably Catholics, but also to the non-Catholic staff of a sea vessel and their employer. For they too are sinners and need Christ's redemption as well.

In his encyclical letter "Spe Salvi" (Saved in Hope), the Holy Father talks about here the "eschatological tension" that is inherent to our faith by quoting St. Thomas of Aquinas "Est autem fides sperandarum substantia rerum, argumentum non apparentium," (Faith is the "substance" of things hoped for; the proof of things not seen). Hence, if our ministry is truly God-centered it will never come to a proper end after it has begun with us. And it is precisely the very eschatological tension that keeps us dynamic and thirsty for God, always eager to win more souls for Christ while we are doing His Work as AOS chaplains or volunteers. You are only a handful when you are back to your countries. But has the Lord not said in Acts 18:10, "I am with you. No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city." God will always provide for those who serve Him with fidelity. And this is why our Bishop's Conference is proud to host this conference, so that when you leave Taiwan the flame in you is renewed and you are totally surrendered to God's Will. Upon saying this, let us not forget to thank Fr. Loloy and his helpers for working so hard to prepare this importance conference.

Seafarers need more than material aid or legal assistance in some cases. For even if they have obtained the same rights as the local people, their work will always keep them separated from their families and they will always need you; they will always need to be reminded that Christ is waiting for them day and night in the Holy Eucharist to offer His Love and His Divine Life to them. This was, still is and will ever be the authentic way to preach the Gospel. You are the ones to whom Christ has entrusted this noble task through your bishops, a task that will bear its sufferings but also its joy as well, for the glory of God, the conversion of the sinners and for your own sanctification. May God bless you and your ministry. See you again soon in Taiwan if God wills it. Goodbye!