Cardinal says human slavery is getting worse

Lina Portman3 days ago

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Parishes urged to raise awareness of trafficking

Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster told a high-level summit of police chiefs, Irish bishops and justice officials that the crime of human trafficking was getting worse.

The Senior Leaders Summit on Collectively Combating Human Trafficking was held at UCC, Cork, from 26-27 June.

The event brought together senior police officers from the US, UK and Ireland, Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster, Kevin Hyland of the Santa Marta Group set up by Pope Francis, Justice Minister Helen McEntee, Bishop Alan McGuckian of Down and Connor, Bishop Fintan Gavin of Cork and Ross, and the renowned Sister of Mercy, Sister Liz Murphy, representing the Act to Prevent Trafficking (APT).

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, president of the Santa Marta Group, stressed in his introduction that “things are getting worse” regarding the crime of human trafficking and that we must “encourage each other, deepen our relationships and deepen our sense of common purpose.”

The cardinal made a distinction between human rights jargon and the human dignity that is innate in each of us. The conference heard the testimony of two victims of trafficking.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said: “In Ireland, as elsewhere, these victims are often 'hidden in plain sight'. She added: “We want Irish society to be aware of this reality.”

Sister Liz Murphy, speaking on The State of the Nation podcast, said human trafficking is not limited to prostitution. “It’s now expanded to the movement of people…to the slavery of people, whether it’s agriculture, domestic work, the sex trade, or even various service industries.”

Ahead of the summit, the Irish bishops called on parishes to be vigilant for vulnerable people who may have been trafficked and are being exploited locally. “Parishes can also play their part. By becoming more informed, learning to recognise the telltale signs of trafficking, raising awareness of the victim support services available and finding out what to do if you suspect someone in your area has been trafficked here. We also ask people to pray for those suffering as a result of trafficking and to put that prayer into action by becoming the eyes and ears – and the voice – that victims need in our midst. It is never too late to act,” the bishops said.

As Sister Liz said, “It’s a crime against humanity.”