Ministry Involves "Environment for Daily Dialogue"
VATICAN CITY, APRIL 19, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Catholic chaplains will gather in Rome to discuss a possible aid in reducing terrorism: airport ministry.
The Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers is hosting its 13th International Seminar for Catholic Civil Aviation Chaplains and Chaplaincy Members, which will take place next Monday through Thursday, and include a meeting with Benedict XVI on Wednesday.
The meeting, "Dialogue in Airport Chaplaincies as an Answer to Terrorism," aims to encourage pastoral work among travelers as increasing terrorist action in the airline industry has increased a feeling of fear.
In the context of the seminar, studies from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith will be presented, and U.N. experts and aviation professionals will explain their strategies for protecting airports and employees.
Specific contribution
The seminar "intends to give its specific contribution in the battle against terrorism, through ecumenical and interreligious dialogue in the world's airports," the Vatican dicastery reported. "In fact, this is where the mission of pastoral workers from various Churches and ecclesial communities and great religions comes into play."
Cardinal Paul Poupard, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, and Bishop Brian Farrell, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, will speak about airports as an environment for daily dialogue, since peoples of all nationalities and religions pass through.
The chaplain of the Newark airport in New Jersey, the Reverend David Baratelli, will share his experiences from the 9/11 attacks on the twin towers in New York. And the chaplain of Heathrow Airport, the Reverend Paschal Ryan, will speak of his experience when terrorist plans were discovered there.
Code: ZE07041905
Date: 2007-04-19