Mass to mark sinking of Costa Concordia

Happier days - Bishop Joseph Kalathiparambil, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Migrants on visit to the ship a few months ago

Bishop Guglielmo Borghetti of Pitigliano, will celebrate Mass on the island of Giglio to remember those killed on the cruise liner Costa Concordia.

The Mass will be celebrated in the church of St Lawrence on Monday February 13, exactly one month after the tragedy.

Locals and families of those killed or injured on the ship are expected to attend. The Catholic maritime charity Apostleship of the Sea provided assistance to passengers and crew through its cruise chaplain on board. The AoS also assisted victims coming ashore in the nearby port of Savona.

Martin Foley, national director of the Apostleship of the Sea in Great Britain said: "The sinking of the Coast Concordia was a terrible tragedy. It's important that we remember those who died and also their families."

Each year the Apostleship of the Sea deploys chaplains on many cruise lines to support the pastoral and practical welfare of crew and passengers.

Last year more than 700 cruise chaplains provided 15,000 days of cruise chaplaincy across the world.

Source: AoS