Pope Urges Authorities To Do More To Combat Scourge Of Human Trafficking

Pope Francis sent a message today to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)'s 17th Alliance against Trafficking in Persons Conference, taking place in Vienna. The message was read by Fr Michael Czerny SJ, Under-secretary of the Migrants and Refugees Section of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

The Holy Father called the problem "a form of slavery, a crime against humanity, a grave violation of human rights, and an atrocious scourge" and said that in some instances, "evidence brings one to doubt the real commitment of some important players."

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Pope Francis Lauds Women Religious In Fight Against Trafficking

Vatican City, Nov 7, 2016 / 05:07 pm

Pope Francis met in Rome with a unique group involved in the fight against human trafficking, where he noted the particular contributions of women religious, which often go unnoticed.

“Your activity in this area reminds us,” the Pope said Nov. 7, of ‘the enormous and often silent efforts which have been made for many years by religious congregations, especially women's congregations, to care for those wounded in their dignity and scarred by their experiences.”

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Vatican Summit Pushes Human Trafficking Crackdown

Judges and prosecutors from around the world gather and vow to fight the problem.


VATICAN CITY — Judges and prosecutors from around the world pledged Friday to crack down on human trafficking and help victims of modern-day slavery in the latest Vatican initiative to draw attention to the problem and rally resources to fight it.

At a Vatican summit of judges, prosecutors and other public officials, Pope Francis signed a declaration stating human trafficking, forced labor, prostitution and the trafficking of organs as a “crime against humanity” that should be prosecuted and punished as such.

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Catholic World News: Work to eradicate human trafficking, Pope tells judges and prosecutors

June 06, 2016

Pope Francis delivered an unexpected address on June 3 to a Vatican summit on human trafficking and organized crime.

Participants in the June 3-4 summit, hosted by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, included leading UN, American, British, Dutch, and Swedish officials involved in the fight against human trafficking, as well as prominent Italian prosecutors and Mexican judges.

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