Vatican pair fly to NZ on America's Cup study trip

ROME - The Vatican has dispatched two envoys to Auckland to study how the Roman Catholic Church should meet the spiritual needs of professional sailors, starting with those competing in the America's Cup.

Competitive sailors and their support teams have an unusual, itinerant lifestyle that cuts them off from society at large and so they need tailor-made religious structures, said Father Gerard Tronche, one of the envoys.

"These are people who are away from their families and homes for months on end, and who have to deal with the intense stress of high-level international regattas," Tronche told Reuters by telephone as he was about to board a plane to New Zealand.

"They are a new and growing community of seafarers and we want to convey to them the interest of the Church and ask them what they want from the Church."

Tronche heads the Roman Catholic Church's Apostleship of the Sea, which runs "Stella Maris" centres that have offered religious support to merchant and military seamen for over 80 years.

Tronche said several members of the syndicates who have been in Auckland for months taking part in the America's Cup challengers' series had been in touch with local priests about what religious services were available to them.

He said these yachtsmen might find themselves alienated from the rest of the congregation at local churches.

"Professional sailors risk losing touch with the society where they came from while never really putting down roots elsewhere as they are always passing through," he said.

"People of the sea are often misunderstood by people of the land."

The America's Cup is the premier trophy in ocean racing and began in October. The final race, involving holders Team New Zealand against either Alinghi of Switzerland or American team Oracle BMW Racing, is due to take place on March 1.

- REUTERS

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