Pope: Raise awareness about "scourge" of
human trafficking
(Vatican Radio) On Monday, Pope Francis spoke out against human
trafficking, in an address to members of RENATE: Religious in Europe Networking
against trafficking and exploitation).
The group is in Rome for their 2nd European
Assembly, which took place on Sunday. The theme of this year’s assembly was
“Ending Trafficking Begins with Us.”
In his address to members of the group, Pope Francis once again
denounced “the trade in human beings” as “a modern form of slavery, which
violates the God-given dignity of so many of our brothers and sisters, and
constitutes a true crime against humanity.” He acknowledged that much has been
accomplished in educating the public about human trafficking, but said “much
more needs to be done on the level of raising public consciousness” and in
coordinating the various efforts of those engaged in fighting against
trafficking in human persons.
The Holy Father commended the work of RENATE in raising public
awareness about the extent of “this scourge which especially affects women and
children.” He especially praised them for their “faithful witness to the Gospel
of mercy, as demonstrated in [their] commitment to the recovery and
rehabilitation of victims.” The Pope made special mention of the work of women
in accompanying other women and children in the process of recovery.
Pope Francis concluded his remarks by expressing his confidence
that the members of RENATE would contribute “to a more effective witness to the
Gospel in one of the great peripheries of society.”
The full text of Pope Francis’ address to the Second European
Assembly of Renate can be read below:
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
I extend a cordial welcome to you, who are taking part in this
Second Assembly of the Religious in Europe Networking Against Trafficking and
Exploitation. I thank Sister Imelda Poole for her kind words of greeting
on your behalf, and I offer my prayerful good wishes for the fruitfulness of
these days of prayer, reflection and discussion. It is fitting that your
Assembly takes place in Rome during this Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.
In this season of grace, all of us are invited to enter more deeply into the
mystery of God’s mercy and, like the Good Samaritan, to bring the balm of that
mercy to so many open wounds in our world.
One of the most troubling of those open wounds is the trade in
human beings, a modern form of slavery, which violates the God-given dignity of
so many of our brothers and sisters and constitutes a true crime against
humanity. While much has been accomplished in acknowledging its gravity
and extent, much more needs to be done on the level of raising public
consciousness and effecting a better coordination of efforts by governments,
the judiciary, law enforcement officials and social workers.
As you well know, one of the challenges to this work of advocacy,
education and coordination is a certain indifference and even complicity, a
tendency on the part of many to look the other way (cf. Evangelii
Gaudium, 211) where powerful economic interests and networks of crime are
at play. For this reason, I express my appreciation of your efforts to
raise public awareness of the extent of this scourge, which especially affects
women and children. But in a very special way, I thank you for your
faithful witness to the Gospel of mercy, as demonstrated in your commitment to
the recovery and rehabilitation of victims.
Your activity in this area reminds us of “the enormous and often
silent efforts which have been made for many years by religious congregations,
especially women’s congregations”, to care for those wounded in their dignity
and scarred by their experiences (cf. Message for the 2015 World Day of
Peace, 5). I think especially of the distinctive contribution made by
women in accompanying other women and children on a deeply personal journey of
healing and reintegration.
Dear friends, I trust that your sharing of experiences, knowledge
and expertise in these days will contribute to a more effective witness to the
Gospel in one of the great peripheries of contemporary society. Commending
you, and all those whom you serve, to the loving intercession of Mary, Mother
of Mercy, I cordially impart my blessing as a pledge of joy and peace in the
Lord. I will remember all of you in my prayers, and I ask you, please, to pray
for me.
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