“Slavery still exists, here and now. Over 40 m. people live as slaves in our world – tricked into forced labour, trapped into prostitution, brutalised for their organs. Slavery is on our doorstep, it’s in our neighbourhood, hiding in plain sight.”
Two Sisters who attended the anti-trafficking meetings for Religious in January have organised follow up awareness raising days, to urge more congregations to get involved.
Sr Nora Coughlan SMG, who attended the Manchester meeting, has invited two of the keynote speakers from that day for a follow up on April 9th in Formby. Brother Francis, Chair of the Medaille Trust and Sr Isabel Kelly, FMSJ, a long time member of the campaigning group TRAC, will both be giving presentations as will Anthony Brown, who has worked extensively with Caritas in the Salford diocese to raise awareness of anti-trafficking, at parish level.
Sr Nora said: “Come and learn more and ask what we can do together in practical ways to help strengthen the fight against human trafficking & slavery…..”
The meeting will take place at St. Joseph’s Prayer Centre, Blundell Avenue, Formby L37 1PH on Tuesday 9th April, from 10.30 – 3.30pm. Donation £20, includes lunch
01704- 875850 / 07712178670 or email: theprayercentre.stj@psmgs.org.uk
On April 6th, the Religious of Mary Immaculate are also holding an awareness raising day in London for young people and students but would welcome any Religious who’d also like to participate. The main presentation will be given by Michael Duthie, Deputy Director of the Santa Marta group. Sr Ruby, who took part in the very well attended January meeting in London explained: “As a response to that gathering we have organised a workshop for students in London to raise their awareness of this ongoing problem. It’s a small step but we are hoping that we can make a change somehow.”
It will be held at the RMI hostel for students, near Gloucester Road tube: 15 Southwell Gardens, London, SW7 4RN, from 11am to 1pm.