
On
8th / 9th February 2018, the 5th Santa Marta Group International
Conference on Human Trafficking took place in Rome. This group
consists of international police chiefs and Catholc Bishops
The scourge of this form modern slavery is described by Pope Francis as
'an open wound on the body of comtemporary society'.
For
young people in particular, it is an easy trap to fall into.
Imagine you are well educated but cannot find a job because your
country is struggling economically, whilst corruption and nepotism are
rife. Someone offers you a job in another country and says you can pay
back the cost of transport when you start work. It seems preferable to
staying put with no hope of improvement in your circumstances.
However, once you are en route, your passport is taken 'to keep safe'.
At
that point your identity is stolen, you are effecitvely silenced and
your life enters a downward spiral. When you arrive in your new country
you may find yourself in domestic service or other low--paid
job. If you are a woman you may find yourself being sexually
exploited, either to pay off your debt or to make money for the
trafficker.
It is a cruel cycle, but one that each of us, as parishioners, can help to put a stop to. Southwark's Response
Bishop
Pat Lynch and Fr Mark Odion represent the Archdiocese of Southwark at
the Santa Marta Group of the Catholic Bishop's Conference of England
and Wales.
A high porportion of those trafficked are from
Nigeria, and Edo State in particular, which happens to be home to a
high proportion of Catholics.
Bishop Pat and Fr Odion are working
alongisde the Archdiocese of Benin to enable a Human Awareness
programme, whose aim is to prevent young people falling into this
cycle. They are also engaged with a Human Livelihood programme in
Edo State, with a view to providing local work opportunities.
How your parish can help
Bishop
Pat and Fr Mark Odion are offering each parish the opportunity to hear
more about this crucial work with a view to parishioners supporting the
work through prayer and other practical meams.
Many
Southwark parishes, such as Hayes, Lewisham and Thamesmead are looking
forward to welcoming Fr Odion in order to learn more, whilst Tolworth
and Sevenoaks have already kindly raised funds to assist with the Human
Awareness Campaign.
If you
and your parish would like to hear more about this project,
particularly during the season of Lent, please contact Bishop Pat Lynch
in the first instance.
Email:
bishoplynch7@btinternet.com
Cottage
Industries in Edo State are providng young people with work in their
local area and helping to prevent Human Trafficking.
Sisters
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Archdiocese of Benin) receive a generous
donation from Tolworth parishioners for their Human Awareness programme.
Link to:
santamartagroup.com
the regular meeting of politicians and law enforcement officers, aided
by the Church, so foster the work of combating Human Trafficking.
PDF poster for 8th
February, annual Day of Prayer for Victims of Trafficking
Text of address
by Bishop Patrick Lynch (December 2011) during Seminar on Human
Trafficking