Human Trafficking
Introduction
Earlier this month the “International Day of Prayer for Victims of Human Trafficking” was observed. In 2022 Victory Noll made a major legacy gift to “U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking” to help sustain their ongoing work. The mission and vision of this global network of sisters, to realize a world without trafficking and exploitation, aligns well with our corporate focus on justice for women and children. Their work includes educating about human trafficking prevention and identification; advocating for stronger laws to prevent human trafficking, holding those responsible accountable and providing direct support to survivors on their healing journey.
Song: What Have We Done For the Poor Ones by Lori True
What have we done for the poor ones, the cold ones, the ones who seek shelter among us, beside us? God’s chosen people, blest and holy, what have we done for the poor ones, here in our midst.
What have we done for the hungry, the homeless, the lonely ones longing for loving, affection. God’s chosen people…
What have we done for the stranger, outsider, the ones who are aching for welcome, acceptance? God’s chosen people…
What have we done for the broken, the grieving, the lost who need someone to listen, to comfort? God’s chosen people…
What have we done for the pris’ner, the addict, who desp’rately yearn for redemption, to comfort? God’s chosen people…
What have we done for the voiceless, the sick ones, the fragile who cry for compassion, protection? God’s chosen people…
What we done for the children, the unborn, who dream of a future with promise, with goodness? God’s chosen people…
What have we done for the old ones, the dying, the weary ones praying for solace, surrender? God’s chosen people…
Reflection Material
Human trafficking is the business of stealing freedom for profit. It is the business of trading in human beings. Human trafficking is a globally assisted pandemic that generates billions of dollars of income a year. In some cases traffickers trick, defraud or physically force victims into providing commercial sex. In others, victims are lied to, assaulted, threatened or manipulated into working under inhumane, illegal or otherwise unacceptable conditions. It is modern day slavery. Every year millions of men, women and children are trafficked in countries around the world, including the U.S. It is believed to be the third-largest criminal activity in the world behind trafficking in arms and drugs.
Trafficking is a good example of an issue, where if you look for the root cause, there is an intersection of other critical social issues: poverty, climate change, gender inequality, profit and greed, imbalance of power and vulnerability, racism, forced migration and online sex abuse.
We know human trafficking is a trans-national crime of great proportion, however, it is also all around us. It flourishes in plain sight, on the internet and in the motels in our towns. It is the fastest growing crime in Fort Wayne. Trafficking can start with something as simple as a flattering comment on Facebook.
So let us pray for the victims of human trafficking--men, women and children, for the perpetrators at every level and for those who are working to prevent human trafficking and to heal the wounds inflicted by this terrible scourge on human beings.
Contemplative Prayer
Action: By our Laudato Si’ Action Plan we deepen our resolve to listen to the Cry of the Poor respond by a commitment to action and advocacy. One form of action is to become more aware and informed re ways those who are most vulnerable are exploited by reading the “U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking” newsletter that Diane emails to us each month.
Prayer to End Trafficking, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Loving God,
We seek your divine protection for all who are exploited and enslaved.
For those forced into labor, trafficked into sexual slavery, and denied freedom.
We beseech you to release them from their chains. Grant them protection, safety, and empowerment. Restore their dignity and provide them a new beginning. Show us how we might end exploitation by addressing its causes. Help us reach out in support of victims and survivors of human trafficking. Make us instruments of your spirit for their liberation. For this we pray through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
Contemplative Prayer
Song: What Have We Done For the Poor Ones
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