Vatican official cuts ties with anti-trafficking organization
July 30, 2015
The Vatican has broken off ties with the Global Freedom Network, an organization whose founder has drawn criticism from union leaders in Australia.
“The Holy See actually withdrew some time ago,” said Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, the chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. “We do not want to be used.”
Archbishop Sanchez Sorondo had originally agreed to serve on the board of the Global Freedom Network, and hosted a press conference in March 2014 at which the newly formed organization announced its plans to organize an international inter-religious coalition to fight human trafficking.
The Network was an initiative begun by Andrew Forrest, the head of an Australian mining firm. His work has been criticized by labor leaders who charge that he has discouraged the formation of unions in developing countries.
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Further information:
- Holy See leaves Global Freedom Network (Vatican Insider)
- Religious leaders unite to condemn human trafficking (CWN, 3/17/14)
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