Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) was founded in Glasgow (Scotland) in October 1920, and now it is the largest ship-visiting Catholic network in the world that provides pastoral, social, and practical support to the people of the sea. Pope John Paul II motu proprio, “Stella Maris on the Maritime Apostolate,” affirms the importance of providing special pastoral attention to a specific group of people who are engaged in the maritime industry, such as seafarers and fishers. With this similar intention, the Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta has started the ministry of Stella Maris.
The diocese is located along the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the world’s busiest waterways. It connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, and about 300 ships cross the strait every day; that is one ship every 5 minutes. Among many ports in this area, the ports of Cadiz, Ceuta, and Algeciras are the most significant ports under the diocesan pastoral territory. Among these three ports, Algeciras is considered one of the most important ports not only in Spain but also in Europe. It accommodates almost 29,000 ships every year.
In these maritime movements, there are certainly people who need pastoral, social, and practical assistance. In response, the bishop of Cadiz and Ceuta, Mons. Rafael Zornoza Boy, started the process of establishing the Stella Maris centre in the port of Cadiz. Last July 2024, he nominated Fr. Antonio Diufain Mora as in charge of the initial opening of Stella Maris in Cadiz. In December 2024, a Scalabrinian priest who is based in Algeciras, Fr. Jovannie Postrano, CS, was nominated as coordinator of the Stella Maris services in the diocese. In addition to this, on the 25th of February, the Stella Maris Centre in Cadiz was inaugurated by Mons. Rafael with the presence of the port commission of welfare. Regarding the port of Algeciras, Stella Maris was already presented to the port community and it is now in the process of having a permit to start the ship visits.
Although the presence of Stella Maris ministry in this area is necessary, its welfare services for the people of the sea are very minimal due to many factors, such as scarcity of material and human resources. In response to this actual challenge, we establish our main objective this year: “To provide sufficient welfare services for the seafarers in the initial operation of the Stella Maris centre.” Our activities will be guided by a project and plan that help us achieve our goal.
We have just started, and we do not have any available funds to support our activities and needs to operate our mission. But with the help of the people and organizations who are in solidarity with the people of the sea, the Stella Maris centre will surely be established, and its activities will certainly start. Furthermore, we have started to share our goals with other Stella Maris centres by building a network. We have shared information with Stella Maris Spain, whose director is Rev. Deacon Ricardo Rodriguez Martos Dauer, and the Stella Maris Scalabrini International Network. We aim to share our dreams and encourage people to help us achieve these dreams for the welfare of the people of the sea. The success of the Stella Maris operation depends on many factors, such as the availability of material and human resources. May Our Mother Mary, Stella Maris, protect us always.
by Fr. Jovannie Postrano, CS
Stella Maris Chaplain - Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta (Spain)
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