As Catholics around the world observed the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking, on February 8, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Office of Public Affairs released a statement on the plight of human trafficking. The day coincided with the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, the patron saint of those impacted by human trafficking.
The statement began by reiterating the opinion of Pope Francis, who called human trafficking “an open wound on the Body of Christ and on the body of all humanity, demanding an ongoing, united response.” Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, called it a “serious crime” and a “rejection of the God-given dignity of every human being.”
Bishop Seitz went on to encourage Catholics, as well as all those of good will, to unite in prayer for the intentions of ending human trafficking once and for all. Calling it the “modern day slavery,” the bishop noted that the Catholic Church has long been leading the charge against human trafficking.
“As Pope Francis reminds us, we must mobilize our resources in combating trafficking and accompanying those who have been exploited in this way,” Bishop Seitz said. “This must be an ongoing effort of collective vigilance, for if we close our eyes and ears, if we become complacent, we will be held to account at the Last Judgement. As Catholics, we are called to face this issue with both courage and compassion, to initiate hard conversations, and to confront the harsh realities of trafficking and exploitation.”
The bishop went on to encourage the faithful to urge their representatives to “pursue meaningful responses to this moral outrage.” He lamented that there are currently proposals in discussion that could “eliminate decades of bipartisan progress on this issue.” He urged lawmakers to reject policies that expand opportunities for “bad actors.”
“We seek the intercession of Saint Josephine as we pray for an end to human trafficking and for the healing, protection, and safety of all victims and survivors alike, especially for children and those in our society who are afraid to seek help because they are marginalized.”
