In 2015, Pope Francis designated February 8 as the World Day of Prayer and
Reflection Against Human Trafficking. On this day, Christians around the world draw
attention to the consequences of “modern slavery” and unite in prayer with those
affected. The chair of the Working Group on Human Trafficking of the Migration
Commission of the German Bishops’ Conference, Auxiliary Bishop Ansgar Puff
(Cologne), emphasizes: “Human trafficking also exists in Germany. Those affected
usually live unrecognized among us, exploited in the food industry, in delivery
services, on construction sites, and not least in prostitution.”
The theme of the 2026 World Day of Prayer takes up the first words of Pope Leo XIV
after his election and reads: “Peace begins with dignity: A global call to end human
trafficking.” Auxiliary Bishop Puff emphasizes: “Those affected by human trafficking
are victims of lawlessness and inhumanity. As Christians, we are committed to
ensuring that they can live with dignity again and experience justice. Church
counselling centres and aid organizations stand by these people with advice and
support and accompany them on their journey out of conditions of bondage and
exploitation.”
People in precarious living situations, such as those without regular residency
status, are particularly at risk of becoming victims of human trafficking. Regarding
concrete measures against “modern slavery,” Auxiliary Bishop Puff highlights the
influence people can exert through their consumer behaviour: “It is important to
inform and raise awareness among buyers and consumers so that they do not
purchase goods produced through exploitation or under conditions akin to slavery. I
particularly advocate for a watchful eye within church communities and institutions.”
February 8 is also the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita (1869–1947), patron saint
of the victims of slavery. She came from the Darfur region in present-day Sudan and
was sold into slavery as a young child. After traveling through several places, she
arrived in Italy, where she was freed by a nun. Due to her traumatic experiences, she
forgot her original name and could only remember the name her slave trader had
given her: “Bakhita,” meaning “the happy one.” She was baptized and became a nun
in Schio, northern Italy. In 2000, she was canonized by Pope John Paul II. The prayer
to St. Josephine Bakhita and her life story can be found on the website of the
German Bishops’ Conference.
Background
“Modern slavery” or “human trafficking” refers to various forms of subjugation and
exploitation. According to the Global Slavery Index 2025, approximately 50 million
people worldwide live in exploitative conditions, including twelve million minors. It is estimated that approximately 47,000 people in Germany are affected by modern
slavery.
In 2014, at the suggestion of the Migration Commission of the German Bishops’
Conference, Catholic organizations working to combat human trafficking in Germany
joined forces to form the “Working Group on Human Trafficking,” which has been
chaired by Auxiliary Bishop Ansgar Puff since 2018. In addition to the Secretariat of
the German Bishops’ Conference and the Catholic Office in Berlin, the group includes
the German Caritas Association, the German Commission for Justice and Peace,
Missio Aachen, the Maltese Order, Renovabis, Solwodi, IN VIA, and the Women’s
Information Center in Stuttgart.
Notes:
The Pastoral Guidelines on Human Trafficking, published in 2019, offer some
suggestions on how the topic can be addressed in parishes and church institutions.
Further information on the topic of “human trafficking” can be found at
https://weltkirche.katholisch.de/thema/804-menschenhandel.