The Migrants and Refugee Section (M & R) at the Vatican invites everyone to engage vigorously in learning, communication and action about preventing and healing Human Trafficking, nourished by reflection, prayer, and the teachings of Pope Francis.

Established by Pope Francis and under his direct guidance, the Migrant and Refugee section began functioning on 1 January 2017.

Tasked with addressing Human Trafficking as well as migrant and refugee matters, its mission is to assist the Bishops of the Catholic Church and all those serving these vulnerable groups.

To address the trafficking and enslavement of human beings, during 2018 M&R held two consultations with Church leaders, scholars and experienced practitioners and partner organizations working in the field. Participants exchanged experiences and viewpoints, addressing relevant aspects of the phenomenon. The Church’s full response was considered, in terms of strengths, weaknesses, pastoral and political opportunities as well as enhanced coordination worldwide.

This six-months process resulted in the present Pastoral Orientations on Human Trafficking, approved by the Holy Father and meant to orient the work of the M&R Section and its partners. It is the purpose of the Pastoral Orientations on Human Trafficking to provide a reading of Human Trafficking and an understanding that motivate and sustain the much-needed long-term struggle.

The Orientations are for use by Catholic dioceses, parishes and religious congregations, schools and universities, by Catholic and other organizations of civil society and by any groups willing to respond. Besides their implementation in local programs as well as collaboration at a distance, the Orientations also offer key points for homilies, education and media.

The POHT is available in various languages and formats at:
https://migrants-refugees.va/trafficking-slavery/

Adapted by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

Congratulations to RENATE Core Group member Maria Luisa Puglisi and all at Fundación de Solidaridad Amaranta on winning the prestigious Fundación Cepsa Social Value award 2019.

The awards are a recognition of the work undertaken by Fundación de Solidaridad Amaranta to enhance the dignity of the human person and make a concrete difference to the lives of the most vulnerable and those living on the margins of society.

Cepsa Foundation supports awareness of societal challenges and promote good governance, collaboration, sustainability, innovation and professionalism.

More at:

https://www.facebook.com/fundacionamaranta/

http://www.fundacionamaranta.org/

https://fundacion.cepsa.com/es/la-fundacion

Approximately fifty people were expected but many more people attended the celebration against violence against women on November 17, an initiative of Ivonne van der Kar (Sisterworks) in collaboration with the Conference of Dutch Religious, Mgr. Schraven Foundation, the Vincent de Paul Center, Bureau Mamre and the Network of Catholic Women.

Theologian Martina Heinrichs was the first speaker of the afternoon, in the chapel of the San Damiano City Convent of the Franciscans in ‘s-Hertogenbosch She talked about her visit to Thailand where she attended a meeting of the Fellowship of the Least Coin (FLC), an ecumenical movement of prayer for justice peace and reconciliation. The FLC supports projects for women and children in particular. She saw how touristic items were sold at a market in Bangkok, while young girls in bikini and high heels danced on the tables in the cafes and bars next to them. Youngsters, between 12 and 15 years old, recruited and bought in the north of the country, and boys who receive female hormones to develop breasts. But she also spoke about initiatives that combat trafficking in women.

Nervous

After a coffee break, the Afternoon Prayer began with testimonies. Sister Medylyn from the Philippines spoke about sister Eustochia in Indonesia, who shelters women and children who have fled situations of violent exploitation. It is vulnerable work, but at the same time authorities get very nervous when Sister Eustochia is involved in a case.

Vincent Hermans and Piet Bots had each written a letter addressed to two Religious who were murdered in China in 1937 and 1938. Franciscan Father Jan van Heel just as well as Bishop Frans Schraven and his companions tried to protect the women who had sought refuge at their mission, against the Japanese army that claimed women for their soldiers. All of them had to pay for this with their lives: revenge for the Japanese loss of face.

The last story was from Maria Meinorah. In the Jeannette Noël house in Amsterdam, undocumented refugees are taken care of, including women and girls and their children. Maria is sometimes moved by the care that the women have for the children conceived by rape. She is shocked by the inevitability of sexual violence that migrant women face on their way ….

Justice

Franck Ploum led the Afternoon Prayer celebration and read the story of Susanna and the elders in Daniel 13. He noticed that – even though Susanna was acquitted – in the process only the voice of men counted. He illustrated that with a fable from South Africa that was both bitter and funny at the same time: the court-case between the duck and the fox. The fox says he has the right to eat the duck. The duck obviously does not agree and thinks that she is in her right. When they are in court, the duck sees that all judges are foxes.

Statement

Moving was the final statement, where churchgoers touched each other’s shoulders and together expressed:

“I want to build a world in which women are no longer oppressed, in which women and girls have every chance of life and development.

I want to keep my eyes and ears open so that I can hear what women might not dare say.

I want to express so much confidence that anyone who is hurt and traumatized can come to me.

I want to contribute to a world in which justice is a large stream to which all people, all peoples, all people subordinate their own interests.

I want to be the echo of what women want to tell: their vision, their dreams, their strength, their hopes and what they have to offer, their desires, their fears and grief, their resignation, their anger and their tenacity.

I ask for blessing that I can accomplish this.”

We left the church while singing together the Magnificat of Taizé.

Joanna Seldenrath, from newsletter Dutch Network Catholic Women