Nuns’ Global Anti-Trafficking Network Must Have More Support, Pope Says

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis called on more religious orders of men and women, as well as foundations and benefactors, to get involved and help an international network of women religious in the fight against human trafficking.

He praised the many institutes of consecrated life that already have supported their members working on prevention, public awareness and assisting survivors of trafficking through the network, Talitha Kum.

“While I invite you to continue this commitment, I am also making an appeal to other religious congregations — both women’s and men’s — for them to join this missionary work, putting people and resources at its service so that it can reach everywhere,” he told network members during an audience at the Vatican Sept. 26.

The pope met with some 86 delegates of Talitha Kum from 48 different countries and other people taking part in the network’s general assembly Sept. 21-27.

Founded 10 years ago, Talitha Kum now coordinates 52 networks of religious women in more than 90 countries. With more than 2,000 people on the ground, their efforts have helped more than 15,000 victims and reached more than 200,000 others through educational and awareness-raising campaigns or workshops in the past decade.

The pope highlighted the way the work fosters collaboration and unity among different religious orders. The network operates under the auspices of the women’s International Union of Superiors General and collaborates with the men’s Union of Superiors General.

These many congregations deserve recognition for being the “vanguard” and working on the frontlines in the church’s missionary efforts against human trafficking, he said.

To read the full story by Carol Glatz on National Catholic Reporter: Click Here

Category: Catholic Church, The Alliance to End Human Trafficking