The following press release comes from the US Catholic Mission Association:
Dear USCMA Members,
One thing I promised myself to do as Executive Director was, when possible, to refresh our collective memory concerning the Resolutions we had taken over the years at our Annual meetings. We will shortly have an occasion to "walk the walk" concerning the Resolution taken in Miami about "Human Trafficking." Two days from now, Wednesday, January 11, 2012 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day in the U.S., thanks to passage of a resolution by the Senate on June 22, 2007 making January 11th a day of awareness and vigilance for the countless victims of Human Trafficking around the world. The Resolution we, Members of the USCMA, passed is the following:
Resolution:
Be it resolved that we, as members of the United States Catholic Mission Association (USCMA) in association with the Franciscan Federation and the Franciscan Action Network, upholding the inherent dignity of each human person in the tradition of St. Francis and St Clare of Assisi, denounce all forms of human trafficking as criminal acts that violate basic human rights and exploit innocent people. We pledge to work for the elimination of human trafficking and its causes; to advocate for rescue, safety, and justice for trafficked persons; and to demand prosecution of perpetrators.
At the end of that resolution, we pledged ourselves to address the needs of our times by responding positively in a variety of ways. Hopefully each of us can find the time and energy to respond in at least one of the ways we proposed:
- Respond prayerfully, engaging in prayer services, remembrances and offering intercessions during liturgies and on other such occasions.
- Become better educated about the issues related to Human Trafficking in the U.S. and abroad.
- Engage in advocacy efforts such as petitions and postcard campaigns, calls, letters and visits to legislators, letters to the editor, nonviolent marches, vigils and demonstrations, media and other advocacy opportunities as they arise.
- Engage in specific education and advocacy efforts concerning trafficked women and children at sports events, conventions, or other public events.
- Promote increased education in identification and safe rescue in hospitals, schools, social service agencies, faith-based organizations, motels and other places where human trafficked victims can be rescued and provided with safety.
- Become aware of our purchasing practices and the use of our investment power by researching the companies we support and the products we consume.
- Collaborate with appropriate organizations working against human trafficking, by engaging in networking meetings, collective actions, advocacy efforts, and by financial support when possible.
As Missioners, following in the footsteps of Jesus for whom each individual's dignity was uniquely important, we know that our individual and collective efforts make a real difference. Let's make our response to that resolve a real and personal one as he did.
Prayerfully yours in our Lord and Lady,
Fr. John (better known as "Jack") Nuelle, MS
Executive Director.
UNITED STATES CATHOLIC MISSION ASSOCIATION
HECKER CENTER, SUITE 100
3025 FOURTH STREET, NE • WASHINGTON DC 20017-1102
Phone: 202.832-3112 • Fax: 202.832-3688
Email:uscma@uscatholicmission.org
Website: www.uscatholicmission.org
