Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Pope Francis released a message to mark the 11th International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking, which is celebrated tomorrow, feast day of Saint Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese woman and religious, victim of trafficking as a child who has come to symbolise the Christian commitment against this phenomenon.
"Trafficking is a complex phenomenon,” the pontiff writes, “constantly evolving, fed by wars, conflicts, famines and the consequences of climate change. It therefore requires global responses and a common effort, at all levels, to counter it."
To encourage this path, Francis met this morning at Casa Santa Marta with a delegation of Talitha Kum, a network promoted by women religious all over the world to support victims of trafficking.
In his message, inspired by the Jubilee Year, Francis calls on the faithful to walk as "pilgrims of hope" even in this heartbreaking world. Indeed, “how is it possible,” he wonders, “to continue to nurture hope in front of the millions of people, especially women and children, young people, migrants and refugees, trapped in this modern slavery? Where do we get new impetus to combat the trade in human organs and tissues, the sexual exploitation of children and girls, forced labour, including prostitution, drug and arms trafficking? How do we register all this in the world and not lose hope?
For Francis the answer is: “Only by raising our gaze to Christ, our hope, can we find the strength of a renewed commitment that does not allow itself to be overcome by the breadth of problems and tragedies, but strives in the darkness to light flames of light, which united can illuminate the night until the coming of dawn."
One example is that of “young people who all over the world fight against trafficking: they tell us that we must become ambassadors of hope and act together, with tenacity and love, and that it is necessary to stand alongside the victims and survivors.”
It is a matter of "avoiding becoming accustomed to injustice, removing the temptation to think that certain phenomena cannot be eradicated.”
“The Spirit of the Risen Lord supports us in promoting, with courage and effectiveness, targeted initiatives to weaken and counter the economic and criminal mechanisms that profit from trafficking and exploitation.
“It can teach us above all to listen, with closeness and compassion, to people who have experienced trafficking, to help them get back on their feet and together with them identify the best ways to free others and engage in prevention.”
To this end, the pontiff urges governments to “promote initiatives in defence of human dignity, for the elimination of human trafficking in all its forms and for the promotion of peace in the world.”
Placing our trust in the intercession of Saint Bakhita, the pope goes on to say: “Together, we can make a great effort and create the conditions for trafficking and exploitation to be banned and for respect of fundamental human rights to prevail, in fraternal recognition of our common humanity.”
