People are not merchandise
Hear the cry of our many brothers and sisters who are criminally trafficked and exploited. They are not merchandise. They are human beings, and they must be treated as such”. This was Pope Francis’ heartfelt appeal in a tweet on @Pontifex sent on Monday 30 July, 2018, on the occasion of UN World Day against Trafficking in Persons.
Earlier on Sunday July 29, 2018, the Holy Father had referred to human trafficking at the end of the Angelus in Saint Peter’s Square, describing it as a true “plague that reduces many men, women and children to slavery for the purposes of labour and sexual exploitation, begging and forced delinquency”. And he pointed out that this did not only occur in developing countries. “Even here in Rome”, he added.
Alluding to another phenomenon he follows very closely, the Holy Father said that “migration routes too are often used by traffickers and exploiters to recruit new victims of trafficking”. Thus, he warned, “it is the responsibility of all to denounce these injustices and to firmly oppose this shameful crime”.
Before the recital of the Marian prayer, as he commented on the Gospel passage of the 18th Sunday in ordinary time (Jn 6:1-15), the Pontiff had offered an original interpretation of the story of the multiplication of the loaves and fish. In it, he spoke sharply against the waste of food in wealthy countries that are too often indifferent to the cry of the starving humanity.
L'Osservatore Romano, www.osservatoreromano.va July 30, 2018
Mission Intention for September
That young people in Africa may have access to education and work in their own countries.
We ask your prayers:
The prayers of our readers are requested for the repose of the souls of friends and benefactors of the Missionary Society of St Columban who died recently and for the spiritual and the temporal welfare of all our readers, their families and friends.
Listen to Mission World - September 2018
Related links
- Read more from The Far East, September 2018
