Polish priests sailing to Malta for priests congress

A crew of eight Polish priests are on the high seas on their way to Malta to attend the International Priests Congress being held here between October 18-22.

The priests are seasoned sailors and come from a Catholic sport school in Poland. The school helps young people to discover and appreciate new cultures and develop their personality.

"Priests from the school regularly sail to different parts of the world, being responsible for the spiritual formation of so many young people.

"The crew coming to Malta will be bringing with them a message from the Vatican to those attending the congress," Krystyna Mikulanka, honorary consul for Malta in Poland told The Times.

While in Malta, the Polish priests look forward to meeting the President, the Polish community here and the Valletta mayor among others, Ms Mikulanka added.

The crew sailing the boat Guard of the Dawn include Captain Andrzej Jaskula; Rector Henryk Blaszczyk, who is also the chaplain of the Knights of Malta in Poland; Edward Janikowski, first officer; G. Pomorski, and K. Wolpiuk, second officers; and S. Gordecki, A.Panasiuk and M. Piotrowski, sailors.

The captain and crew are hoping to make it to Grand Harbour by next Monday.

The name of the sailing boat Guard of the Dawn was derived from the title that Pope John Paul II bestowed on young people when he attended a rally for youth in Toronto earlier this year.

Catholic priests from about 90 countries are expected to attend the congress, which aims to discuss how the faithful can lead a more fruitful life in the new millennium. About 300 Maltese priests will be attending.

During the congress, a link-up will be set up with the Holy Father's Wednesday general audience.

The congress will be inaugurated with a ceremony at St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, presided by Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, Prefect of the Congregation of the Clergy.