Pope Francis says on "...the ninth World Day of Prayer and Reflection against Trafficking in Persons.... join forces to weave networks of good, to spread the light...." FULL TEXT
FOR THE 9th WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
AND REFLECTION AGAINST PEOPLE TRAFFICKING
February 8, 2023
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Today we remember Saint Bakhita, the Patron Saint of victims of human trafficking. I join you as you celebrate the Day, the ninth World Day of Prayer and Reflection against Trafficking in Persons whose theme is Walking for Dignity and which involves young people as protagonists.
I address you young people in particular: I encourage you to take care of your dignity and that of every person you meet. I learned that it was you who chose “Walking for Dignity” as the theme. It is very important: it indicates a great horizon for your commitment against trafficking: human dignity. In this way you can help keep hope alive; and I also add joy, which I invite you to keep in your hearts, together with the Word of God, because true joy is Christ!
Trafficking in persons disfigures dignity. Exploitation and subjection limit freedom and make people objects to be used and discarded. And the trafficking system takes advantage of injustices and inequities that force millions of people to live in conditions of vulnerability. In fact, people impoverished by the economic crisis, wars, climate change and so much instability are easily recruited. Unfortunately, trafficking is growing to a worrying extent, especially affecting migrants, women and children, young people like you, people full of dreams and the desire to live in dignity.
We know, we are living in difficult times, but it is precisely in this reality that all of us, especially young people, are called to join forces to weave networks of good, to spread the light that comes from Christ and his Gospel. The light that will symbolically be delivered in these days to the young people who have come to Rome to represent the organizations that have been collaborating for years for this Day of prayer and commitment against trafficking. With this gesture you are sent as missionaries of human dignity, against human trafficking and all forms of exploitation. Thus a special year of youth involvement is inaugurated, until the next Day in 2024. Guard this light and you will be a blessing for other young people. Never tire of seeking ways to transform our societies and prevent this shameful scourge of human trafficking.
Walk for dignity, against human trafficking, leaving no one behind. I would like to take up some beautiful expressions you wrote: “Walking with open eyes to re-cognize the processes that lead millions of people, especially young people, to be trafficked in order to be brutally exploited. Walking with an attentive heart to discover and support the daily journeys for freedom and dignity. Walk with hope on your feet to promote anti-trafficking actions. Walking together shaking hands to support each other and build a culture of encounter, which leads to the conversion of hearts and to inclusive societies, capable of protecting the rights and dignity of every person".
I hope that many will accept your invitation to walk together against trafficking: walk together with those who are destroyed by the violence of sexual and labor exploitation; walking together with migrants, displaced persons, those in search of a place to live in peace and with the family. Together with you young people, to courageously reaffirm the value of human dignity.
I thank you and I say to you: go ahead with courage! Go forward with courage! May the Lord bless you and Our Lady keep you. Saint Bakhita pray with us and for us. I heartily bless all of you who work against trafficking and every person you meet on this journey for dignity. Thank you!
Source: Vatican.va
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