VATICAN - On February 8: "Shine a light against human trafficking"

Wednesday, 4 February 2015

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - To pray and reflect against human trafficking: this is the goal of the First International Day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking, scheduled on February 8, on the theme: "Shine a light against human trafficking". The Day, which is celebrated on the feast of St. Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese slave, who was freed and became a Canossian sister and canonized in the year 2000, is promoted by the International Unions of of Superiors General (UISG and USG) of female and male, and sponsored by Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of apostolic Life, by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People and by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
The latest data published by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2014 stated that in the world there are about 21 million people in the situation of human trafficking and it is estimated that between 700.000 - to 2 million people suffer human trafficking each year.
As Sister Gabriella Bottani, SMC explained during the press conference, we are invited to pray and reflect in order: to see the best path to walk together; to illuminate the darkness caused by everything that exploits life for profit; to give hope to those who live the drama of trafficking, so that they can feel they are not alone; to transform mind and heart, breaking the crust of superficiality and indifference that prevents us from recognizing every person as a brother and sister; to regain the strength of a collective action; to recognize and remove the causes that support trafficking of persons in all its forms; to support our commitment to the freedom and dignity of the person; to live the mysticism and prophecy of God's action in history. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 04/02/2015)


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