Press release - 10th February 2007

ICMA appoints new General Secretary

The International Christian Maritime Association has appointed the Revd Hendrik F la Grange as its London-based General Secretary from 1 July 2007.

Mr la Grange, chaplain to seafarers in Durban, South Africa, has been ICMA’s Southern Africa Regional Coordinator since 2005.

As the umbrella organisation of 27 seafarers’ mission organisations, ICMA actively promotes cooperation and coordination between Church-related seafarers’ welfare organisations. These include international societies such as the Apostleship of the Sea (Roman Catholic), The Mission to Seafarers (Anglican), the British & International Sailors’ Society (multi-denominational), Dutch, German, North American and Nordic missions, as well as a number of nationally operating missions.

After leaving university, Mr la Grange, 46, was ordained in the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika in 1984 and served his church in different capacities in Durban. In 2000 he became full-time port chaplain of the Christian Seamen’s Organisation in Durban. Mr Grange and his wife Susan have three daughters.

Mr la Grange said: “I believe that the churches can best serve the seafarers of the world by working together as one. I trust that together we shall contribute to the dignity of seafaring folk by giving a voice to those who are marginalised though essential in the global trade.”

ICMA member organisations around the world operate over 500 seafarer centres with more than 900 port chaplains and countless lay and voluntary staff.

ICMA is represented by a standing delegation to the ILO and IMO where it holds observer status. It is founding member of the International Committee on Seafarers’ Welfare.

Mr la Grange succeeds the Revd. Dr. Jurgen Kanz who will retire in the end of June after having served as General Secretary of the German Seamen’s Mission from 1996 – 2003 and as ICMA General Secretary from 2003 onwards

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Posted: 2007-02-14

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