Airports an opportunity for mission say Pope

Friday, June 15th, 2012

The Holy Father told participants of the World Seminar for Civil Aviation Chaplains focussing on new forms of evangelisation, to embody the world’s airports in the Church’s mission, to make airports as places where people encounter God.

Airports “are places that increasingly reflect the globalised reality of our time. Here one finds people of a wide variety of nationalities, cultures, religions, social status and age. One also comes across all manner of difficult human situations that demand increasing attention.”

Benedict spoke compassionately when reflecting on people in stressful circumstances, for example, waiting anxiously at border control without the necessary documentation either as immigrants or asylum seekers.

He also mentioned the inconvenience caused by anti-terrorism security measures, and encouraged the chaplains to support people in the human situations they find themselves in.

As chaplains you are to “proclaim the Good News with renewed vigour by your words, by your presence, by your example and by the witness you bear.”

“Be assured that even in chance encounters, people are able to recognise a man of God, and that often a small seed falling on good soil can bring forth abundant fruit,” Benedict said.

Observing the demanding and technologically challenging nature of work at airports, where often more attention is paid to efficiency and productivity than to human relationships than “love of neighbour,” Benedict also encouraged the chaplains to be a “counter-sign” a living witness to God, and to be generous and loving towards airport staff.

“Never to show indifference to those one meets” he said.

Sources