More than 120 people attended an educational event in Mooresville Jan. 31 on the issue of human trafficking and how to combat it in their everyday lives. The event was co-sponsored by St. Therese Church and Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte’s Respect Life Program and Anti-Trafficking Task Force.
The U.S. bishops’ Anti-Trafficking Program encourages parishes to raise awareness on human trafficking during the month of January. Both the Catholic Charities’ Anti-Trafficking Task Force and St. Therese’s social justice committee are raising awareness on this issue all year long.
On the feast of St. Josephine Bakhita (Feb. 8), the patron saint of human trafficking victims, “Discussing Human Trafficking and How You Can Make a Difference,” was offered by Catholic Charities, the Sisters of Mercy and other anti-trafficking non-profits at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte.
These collaborating groups are part of the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force coordinated by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte. The event began with Mass celebrated in the parish chapel, and continued with a fair trade sale with informational resources.
The event closed with a prayer service. Pictured is Kara Griffin, a member of the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force and a parishioner of St. Matthew Church in Charlotte, presenting a wide variety of fair trade produced by artisans from around the world, some of whom are survivors of human trafficking.
At www.usccb.org/anti-trafficking-program: Read more about what you and your parish can do to combat the evil of human trafficking