Siouxland Coalition emphasizes awareness of human trafficking: In recent years, the plight of human trafficking has been gaining awareness in the Diocese of Sioux City and throughout the world. Pope Francis’ World Day of Peace message even focused on the subject. He had called for personal responsibility, grass-roots action and international cooperation to combat the new and growing forms of “this abominable phenomenon” of human exploitation. (See related story.) Bernadette Rixner, a member of the Diocesan Peace and Justice Coalition, noted many popes have spoken out against slavery through the years. “I am very impressed that the Catholic Church has mentioned the evil of slavery and human trafficking for eons,” said Rixner, who referred to a quote from Vatican II. “The popes have mentioned it repeatedly and there is material in the Catechism too.” In Pope Francis’ World Day of Peace message, the Holy Father cited the Scripture passage of Paul’s letter to Philemon. A Philemon slave was sent to Paul, but Paul sent him back noting that the man “was a Christian, he’s now your brother” – so treat him as such. The letter was titled, No Longer Slaves but Brothers and Sisters. Raising awareness The United States is marking January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. It’s a proclamation the president has made for the last two years. “It’s a month dedicated to being aware of slavery and human trafficking as it exists in the world today,” said Rixner. For the first time, the Catholic Church designated Feb. 8 as International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking. The new observance is being promoted for all dioceses, parishes and church groups by the council for migrants, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the international unions of superiors general of men’s and women’s religious orders. That day was chosen because it’s the Feast Day of St. Josephine Bakhita, a Sudan native who was sold into slavery when she was 7 years old. If anyone wanted to organize a prayer service on Feb. 8, Rixner can provide a prayer service centered on St. Bakhita for an end to slavery and human trafficking. There is also a prayer card for St. Bakhita on the United States Council of Catholic Bishops website – usccb.org. Prayer is one of the ways Catholics can get involved in the fight against human trafficking. “That is always the first and the last thing we should be doing for any social justice issue is lifting it up to God in prayer because that is the only way we can get it accomplished,” said Rixner, who explained there will be a special prayer effort during the Super Bowl as it is known as a big event for trafficking. Along with prayer, she said people can help in the effort by becoming more aware about the problem. The website slaveryfootprint allows you to look up product brands that you use and weigh the likelihood if it was made by slave or forced labor. Rixner acknowledged that some children in certain countries work because it is the only thing that can help their family, “so anything people can do to alleviate poverty will also help alleviate human trafficking and forced labor.” She pointed out that awareness about the issue has been growing in the Diocese of Sioux City and they hope to continue with their efforts. Last summer, a conference was sponsored in Sioux City by the Diocesan Peace and Justice Commission. During that conference, about 20 people signed up to be involved in follow-up with this effort. New coalition The group began meeting last August and since that time, they have become the Siouxland Coalition Against Human Trafficking made up of members in the tristate region. The coalition’s efforts are going to focus on minors. They are presently identifying what resources are available in the community and what resources are needed. Rixner pointed out that finding actual numbers on human trafficking in specific areas is difficult because often it is a hidden crime. She stressed, however, it is happening in Iowa. “We do know that of all the kids who are runaways and homeless, a third of them will be approached within 48 hours for trafficking purposes and that third will be trafficked within 72 hours,” she said. Rixner acknowledged that one of the factors that leads to this is the disintegration of the family and people not feeling they have someone there for them. The Diocesan Peace and Justice Commission also offered a deanery-level conference on human trafficking last October and they plan to offer a few more in other deaneries this year.
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 22:48:34 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015