The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has appointed Fr. John Mission of the Archdiocese of Cebu as the new national director of the Church’s “work of the maritime apostolate”.

Upon his appointment, Fr. Mission will work alongside Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga and CBCP’s bishop-promoter of the Stella Maris – Philippines.

The priest replaced Msgr. Eutequiano Legitimas, who is also the head of Stella Maris Center in the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro.

Fr. Mission has been serving as chaplain and executive director of Stella Maris Seafarers’ Center in Cebu.

The priest will serve for a term of three years, and can be renewed upon the discretion of the episcopal conference.

Stella Maris, formerly known as Apostleship of the Sea, is a global seafarers’ charity work of the Catholic Church.

In the Philippines, the ministry has been providing pastoral care and service to the seafarers and their families, maritime students, and even to port personnel.