Faith on the waterfront: Archbishop Smith meets the Church’s maritime mission
Sailors pose with Deacon Dileep Athaide, centre left, national director of Stella Maris Canada, and Archbishop Richard Smith during a tour of the chaplaincy ministry and the Port Ecumenical Centre. (Contributed photos)
By Nicholas Elbers from Catholic Vancouver on January 22, 2026
With the sun shining on the waves, Archbishop Richard Smith made a pastoral visit to Vancouver’s port ministry, accompanying port chaplains in their duties supporting the spiritual welfare of docked seafarers and ship workers.
The Archbishop toured the facilities with Father Pereira, the national director of Stella Maris Canada, Deacon Dileep Athaide, and long-time ship-visiting volunteer Douglas McDonald, as they performed their duties at the Port of Vancouver.
Port Chaplain Father Eslin Pereira, CMF, said the Archdiocese of Vancouver Apostleship of the Sea team was grateful for the Archbishop's visit and support. The visit included a meeting with the Port Ecumenical Centre’s Mission to Seafarers administrator, Rev. Peter Smyth, who gave a guided tour of the Vancouver waterfront Seafarers Centre and an overview of the activities and services available to visiting seafarers.
Archbishop Smith and Deacon Athaide on gangway to the vessel.
Archbishop Smith also toured a cargo vessel loading Canadian-grown barley at the Alliance Grain Terminal, one of the many independent dock operators along the south side of Burrard Inlet harbour. He met with the ship’s all-Filipino, mostly Catholic, crew of 21, who were thrilled to have the Archbishop visit their ship and to share with him a bit about their work and life aboard.
“It was a real joy to meet the crew aboard the cargo vessel and to spend time with these hardworking men, many of whom are far from their families for long stretches of time,” Archbishop Smith told The B.C. Catholic. “I was grateful for the opportunity to listen to their stories and pray together.”
The Archbishop also thanked port ministry workers and volunteers for being a “powerful sign of the Church’s care for those who are often unseen yet essential to our daily lives.”
Looking across Burrard Inlet to the North Shore
“I am deeply grateful for the faithful service of all who ensure seafarers are welcomed, supported, and reminded of their God-given dignity,” he said.
The Apostleship of the Sea is an international Catholic ministry dedicated to the pastoral care of seafarers and their families. It was established in Scotland in 1920 to meet the spiritual and practical needs of sailors who often spent long periods far from home.
In its early years, Stella Maris operated hostels where seafarers could find rest and companionship while their ships were in port, supported by parish volunteers who offered hospitality and guidance.