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."
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