MIA Welcomes Announcement of International Day of Prayer Against Human Trafficking

Mercy International Association welcomes the announcement today by The Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Travelers of the launch of an International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking, to be marked 8 February, 2015, the Feast Day of St Bakhita.

Pope Francis has strongly denounced many times the trafficking of human beings, defining it as 'a crime against humanity' and calling on all to fight and looking after the victims.

Responding to the Holy Father’s plea, the Pontifical Council of Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the International Union of Superiors General (UISG and USG) will promote an “International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking”.

The First International Day will be celebrated in all dioceses and parishes in the world, in the groups and schools on 8 February 2015, the Feast Day of Josephine Bakhita (far right), a Sudanese slave, freed, who became a Canossian nun, and was declared a Saint in 2000.

Sisters of Mercy across the globe continue Catherine McAuley's ministry of outreach with distressed women today by opposing Human Trafficking. Women, Children and men are all victims of human trafficking.

Eradicating human trafficking is a priority issue for Mercy International Association at both grassroots and advocacy levels. In the 40+ countries where Sisters of Mercy and our Partners in Ministry serve, we support trafficked persons, provide programmes to educate about exploitative practices and lobby for change.

Messages to: Mary Reynolds rsm - Executive Director MIA