Human Trafficking Awareness Event

For the second year in a row, Deacon Mike Kristan (above) organized an event at Sacred Heart Cathedral to bring attention to the issue of Human Trafficking. This year, it was a presentation February 5 by the Rochester chapter of Angels of Mercy, an organization dedicated to women and girls in need. 

In a meeting room, the speakers offered a slide show and a video, and detailed some terrible statistics regarding human trafficking, noting that forced labor and sexual exploitation are growing problems, including in the Rochester area. Indeed, the slide show included headlines about recent local arrests.

Locally, human trafficking victims are not only those who are exploited sexually, they are often found in such industries as hospitality, food service, and agriculture. The predators also seek out vulnerable youth to coerce them into sex work.

After the presentation, the gathered people, including representatives of The Glory of the Most High and Immaculate Heart of Mary fraternities, went up to the Cathedral to say the Stations of the Cross for Victims of Human Trafficking.

The Angels also distributed a prayer from the Sisters of Charity about human trafficking:

O Lord,

No woman chooses

to be exploited.

No child chooses

to be abused.

Help us be the rescuers –

shining Your divine light

into the darkest corners

of our world;

giving hope to victims

of human trafficking;

speaking out to defend

their dignity;

ending this crime

against humanity.

Emboldened by the

Charity of Christ,

we raise our voices in prayer,

faithful that one day

through our efforts,

every child will be free

to fulfill their destiny.

Amen.

For more information about Angels of Mercy, go to www.angelsofmercyny.org

Pax et bonum