Combat human trafficking, Pope urges
April 20, 2015
Citing the example of St. Peter Claver and St. John of Matha, who ministered to slaves, Pope Francis called upon Christians to combat human trafficking.
The Pontiff made his remarks during an April 18 audience in the Apostolic Palace with members of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, who assembled in Rome to discuss the issue.
“We know that the historic abolition of slavery as a social structure is a direct consequence of the message of freedom brought to the world by Christ,” the Pope said. New forms of slavery, however, have arisen in a “global economic system dominated by profit,” and “many times these new forms of slavery are protected by the very institutions that should defend the population from these crimes.”
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Further information:
- Udienza ai partecipanti alla Sessione Plenaria della Pontificia Accademia delle Scienze Sociali (Holy See Press Office)
- Pope Francis: ‘Human Trafficking is A Plague on Humanity’ (Vatican Radio)
- Human Trafficking: Issues Beyond Criminalization (Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences)
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