杏MAP导航 at Angelus: Join forces to end human trafficking
By Christopher Wells
At the Angelus on Sunday, 杏MAP导航 Francis drew attention to the 鈥減lague鈥� of human trafficking, and called on government leaders to confront the causes of the trade in human beings.
Recalling the World Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking, which takes place on the feast of St Josephine Bakhita, the Holy Father said the motto for this year鈥檚 observance 鈥� 鈥淭ogether against Human Trafficking鈥� 鈥� is 鈥渁n invitation to join forces to overcome this challenge鈥�. All of us, he said, 鈥渃an and must work together to denounce the cases of exploitation and slavery of men, women, and children鈥�.
Prayer sustains our commitment
The 杏MAP导航 insisted, 鈥淧rayer is the force that sustains our common commitment鈥� to ending trafficking. He led the crowd gathered in St Peter鈥檚 Square in a prayer to St Josephine, who had herself suffered as a slave before her conversion to Christianity. The following prayer was printed and distributed at the Angelus, and shown on the screens for those present:
St Josephine Bakhita, as a child you were sold as a slave, and had to face unspeakable difficulties and suffering.
Once you were freed from physical slavery, you found true redemption in the encounter with Christ and His Church.
Saint Josephine Bakhita, help all those who are trapped in slavery.
In their name, intercede with the God of mercy, that the chains of their captivity might be broken.
May God Himself free all those who have been threatened, wounded, or mistreated by the trade and trafficking of human beings. May He bring relief to those who survive this slavery, and teach them to see Jesus as a model of faith and hope, that their wounds may be healed.
We implore you to pray and intercede for all of us: that we not fall into indifference; that we may open our eyes and look upon the miseries and wounds of so many brothers and sisters deprived of their dignity and freedom, and hear their cry for help. Amen.
A strong commitment
At a press Conference on Friday, on the Day itself, Jesuit Father Frédéric Fornos noted 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� strong commitment 鈥渢o the fight against this scourge in its different expressions鈥�. It is a 鈥渄rama鈥�, he said, that the Holy Father has had 鈥渋n heart and in prayer for a long time".
The scourge of human trafficking is also the subject of 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� February prayer intention: 鈥淟et us pray for a generous welcome to the victims of human trafficking, enforced prostitution, and violence.鈥�
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