2024-04-04-eEdition

PAGE 20 THE CATHOLIC WEEK APRIL 5, 2024 By OSV News BALTIMORE —The Archdiocese of Baltimore's Apostleship of the Sea is normally a "friendly face" for interna- tional seafarers visiting the port. That role is about to expand, accord- ing to its director, Andy Middleton, after a containership was involved in the cata- strophic collapse of one of Baltimore's major thoroughfares. The Francis Scott Key Bridge col- lapsed about 1:30 a.m. March 26 after a 900-foot container ship collided with one of its major support pilings. Ac- cording to state and U.S. Coast Guard officials, a search-and-rescue mission was underway for an unknown number of survivors. Middleton said the Apostleship of the Sea, based at St. Rita Parish in Dundalk, had ministered to members of the crew on March 24 and 25, deliver- ing Easter boxes to the group aboard Dali, which was berthed at Seagirt Marine terminal. Middleton said he had been in touch with a member of the crew just hours after the collision and all were safe and uninjured. The organization, begun by the arch- diocese in 2003 to serve visiting crews, plans to assist the sailors once bridge debris is removed from the ship and it settles in a berth. "Let us join in prayer asking the Lord to grant consolation and strength as we cope with this terrible tragedy," said Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori, who celebrated a 5:30 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen to pray for all those impacted by the bridge's collapse. BaltimoreArchdiocese ministers to crewaboard ship involved in bridge collapse Julia Nikhinson/OSV News, Reuters A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter hovers over the Dali cargo vessel March 26 after it crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge causing it to collapse in Baltimore. Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore and that city's officials have called for prayers as rescue efforts con- tinue, following the early morning collapse of the bridge.