Page 6 - LOTN Spring Issue 49 2022

DIOCESE
Bringing the Church

to Catholic seafarers

during a pandemic

any seafarers are Catholic, and when their ships
arrive in Aberdeen, Stella Maris port chaplain
MDeacon Doug Duncan helps them feel part of the
Church, especially at times such as in Lent and at Easter.
During this holy season, Doug and his team of ship visitors
distribute ashes and palm crosses and arrange for seafarers to be
taken to church or organise service on board where possible.
Last year, while Covid restrictions were still in place, Doug
arranged for a group of seafarers to go to confession. “They had Deacon Doug Duncan with seafarers at St Peter's Church,
requested confession before Easter and contacted me to see if Aberdeen
this could be arranged. Their vessel on arriving in Aberdeen was them some comfort. I hear stories of seafarers who have had
required to go back out to another location in the North Sea to face violent storms at sea. Even some of the seafarers who
within two days. I contacted the local priest, Fr Gábor at St are not religious have thanked God for getting them through
Peter’s Church, who was delighted to help. And so my Stella difficult situations.”
Maris car was turned into a mobile confessional box. Wearing
full Covid PPE, seafarers went into the rear of the vehicle while Stella Maris is grateful for the support shown by parishioners in
the priest sat in the front.” Aberdeen. Please continue praying for seafarers and fishers and for
During the pandemic, Doug could only communicate with the work of Stella Maris. If readers would like to make a donation
seafarers from the gangway or though social media. Doug says he to support the work of Stella Maris, they can do so via this link
found this frustrating. “There is no better way than sitting and https://www.stellamaris.org.uk/donate/
listening to seafarers tell you about their lives. Some seafarers
portray a happy disposition, but it is only when you sit and chat
with them, away from the mess room, that they will open up.” Fertility Care Scotland
Despite having access to the internet, some seafarers can still
feel isolated when issues come up at home, says Doug. “I had a 196 Clyde Street, Glasgow G1 4JY
recent example of a Russian captain whose house was flooded,
and his wife had to deal with it. He was being bombarded with
photos of the devastation and was unable to help. He was trying WE ARE OPEN!
to arrange with his company for a replacement to allow him to
return. He felt helpless being stuck in Scotland while this was
happening back home.”
Doug and other Stella Maris volunteer ship visitors in Work one-to-one with an experienced Billings
Ovulation Method® teacher to naturally postpone
Aberdeen are a lifeline to seafarers when they arrive in a port. or achieve pregnancy, or simply to learn about your
To many seafarers, faith is essential, said Doug. “Knowing unique reproductive health. Natural family planning
and believing someone is by their side in all situations gives
is safe, healthy, and without any side effects. Our
services are free. Instruction is now available in-
t the time of writing, Doug and his team are person or online.
supporting Ukrainian and Russian seafarers
Acaught up in the ongoing war. Several of the Contact us for more information at info@
Ukrainian seafarers Doug has met are worried about fertilitycare.org.uk or 0141 221 0858.
how they will get home once their work contracts end.
They are also concerned for the safety of their families, "This is knowledge of her body that
and unsure about their future work prospects in the every woman ought to have"
event they do return home. Recognising the anguish Dr Evelyn Billings
of the Ukrainian seafarers in particular, Stella Maris
is providing them with phone top up cards for free Visit our website www.fertilitycare.org.uk
so they can contact their families. Please continue to
pray for all affected by this war, including the many Join us on facebook www.facebook.com/fertilitycarescotland
Ukrainian and Russian seafarers and fishers working Follow us on twitter www.twitter.com/fertility_scot
on ships, separated from their families at this time.
Fertility Care Scotland is a registered charity in Scotland number SCO22875

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