Interreligious unity in Barcelona

A special act of interreligious unity was celebrated at the Stella Maris Centre in Barcelona

In November 2007, AOS in Barcelona joined members of the local Jewish and Muslim communities in a special act of interreligious unity. Participants came together at the Stella Maris Centre. Each group prayed according to their own traditions. Then all participants exchanged a sign of peace and sang the Ode to Joy. Deacon Ricardo Rodríguez-Martos, AOS port chaplain to Barcelona and director of the Stella Maris Centre, described the occasion as “deeply moving”.

Left to right, Deacon Ricardo Rodríguez-Martos of AOS, Jorge Burdman of the Jewish Community of Barcelona, Jamal el Attouaki of the Islamic Council of Cataluña, Fr Amador Roig of AOS

Significant numbers of Muslim seafarers visit the Stella Maris Centre in Barcelona. For several years the pastoral team has worked hard to build links with the local Muslim community so that they can act as a bridge between the seafarers and their fellow Muslims. But this is not the only way to help seafarers of other religions. As Ricardo says

"There is another type of pastoral activity. Spiritual assistance based on simple acts of charity can unite people of any creed or culture. It is this experience which makes us feel like brothers and sisters."

The Stella Maris Centre in Barcelona wishes to be a “home away from home” for all seafarers, whatever their religion or beliefs. Onboard ship, seafarers live side-by-side with crew members of different religions and nationalities. The tolerance and respect which they show to one another were acknowledged and celebrated by Jewish, Muslim and Christian participants during the act of interreligious unity in Barcelona.

Participants in the interreligious act of unity at the Stella Maris Centre in Barcelona

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