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.
Migration has been a particular focus for many Maryknoll Affiliates and Chapters. For those of you who have been concerned about this issue, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops have materials for National Migration Week 2012: January 8 -14.
