SCC JPIC Messages

On Monday, August 11th, as we remember our day of fast and prayer, we are invited to “reflect on the signs of the times with the eyes of God and with women’s hearts.”

We remember, “That we commit ourselves –at local, national, and international levels- to awareness, advocacy, and action on behalf of victims of human trafficking.” (Sisters of Christian Charity Statement on Human Trafficking), (JPIC Coordinators, May, 2008, Rome)

Quote

“Women and children are the key target groups because of their marginalization, limited economic resources and predominance in the ‘invisible’ informal labor sector.” (United Nations, Kofi Annan)

Catholic Social Teaching

“We are witnessing…a new humanism, one in which humans are defined first of all by their responsibility toward their brothers and sisters…” (Gaudium et Spes #55)

“Action on behalf of justice . . . appear to us as a constitutive dimension of preaching the Gospel . . . the Church’s mission for the redemption of the human race and its liberation from every oppressive condition.” (Justice in the World-1971 World Synod of Bishops)

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UN International Day

August 23 International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition

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Our Call: The Spirit . . . is upon me . . . to announce good news to the poor . . . to let the oppressed go free. (LK, 4:18)

Our Prayer: I contemplate . . . the tears of the oppressed, with no one to protect them! ; the power their oppressors wield. No one to protect them. (Eccl. 4:1)

Our Response: THERE IS HOPE FOR YOUR FUTURE. (Jer. 31:17)

Umwelttechnologie hilft philippinischen Slumbewohnern

Drei Millionen Menschen leben in den Slums von Manila. In den Müllbergen suchen sie nach Verwertbarem. Der Klimaschutz war bislang für sie kein Thema. Seit kurzem aber investiert eine italienische Umwelttechnologiefirma vor Ort. Und davon profitieren beide Seiten.

Introduction

Trafficking in human beings is seen as one of the worst affronts to human dignity and violations of human rights. The Unions of Superiors General (USG/UISG, representing more than a million religious men and women worldwide) and Caritas Internationalis (CI, with 162 Member Organizations active in over 200 countries and territories) have each, in their strategic plans, demonstrated their determination to oppose this 21st century form of global slavery. Both organisations see this as an opportune moment to declare their commitment to work together in this endeavour. It is also appropriate and timely to make a formal call on religious institutes of men and of women worldwide and on Caritas Internationalis and its member organizations to consolidate their collaboration in countering the trafficking of human beings.

An alliance between religious congregations and church based organisations will strengthen advocacy work in favour of trafficked persons and will broaden the range of resources for people engaged at the practical level in ministry to them. The alliance would work for the benefit of the victims of trafficking by enhancing the transnational channels of prevention and assistance accessible to them.

Complementary roles in a common commitment

Caritas Internationalis and the USG/UISG bring specific competences and resources to this alliance.

USG/UISG
In the spirit of the Congress on Consecrated Life (2004), the JPIC Commission,

working group against trafficking in women and children, acts on "the care we have

for one another that leads us to engage with the pain and suffering of our world with

all its peoples and all of creation". The USG/UISG is committed to bring to this partnership

its special skills in education of the public through publications and public meetings, sharing its experience through the formation of field workers, and through pastoral

care and rehabilitation of the victims.

We trust that this agreement between Caritas Internationalis and the USG/UISG will result in effective, mutually supportive action against the trafficking in human persons.

Rome, November 2007,

"... Most of th etime I have a psotive attitude about my situatuion, but also there habe been some discouraging times for me and my situation seems hopeless. But is passes and is only a phase and I am back to thinking positive once more..."