U.S. bishops: Human trafficking is ‘rejection of the God-given dignity of every human being’

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Feb 7, 2025 / 17:30 pm

The U.S. bishops’ conference drew attention to the global crisis of “modern-day slavery” in a statement on the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking. 

The day is annually observed by Catholics on Feb. 8 — the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, patron saint of human trafficking victims.

Chairman of the bishops’ migration committee Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, cited the Holy Father in calling attention to the gravity of the issue.

“Human trafficking is not only a serious crime — it is a rejection of the God-given dignity of every human being. It is, as Pope Francis has said, an open wound on the body of Christ and on the body of all humanity, demanding an ongoing, united response,” Seitz said.

“The Catholic Church in the United States has long been at the forefront of the fight against human trafficking, and the U.S. bishops stand firmly alongside our Holy Father in his consistent efforts to shed light on this global injustice,” the statement continued.

Seitz urged Catholics to be vigilant, warning of the consequences of failing to protect the most vulnerable.

“For if we close our eyes and ears, if we become complacent, we will be held to account at the Last Judgment. As Catholics, we are called to face this issue with both courage and compassion, to initiate hard conversations, and to confront the harsh realities of trafficking and exploitation,” he said.

“At the same time, we will continue urging policymakers at all levels of government to pursue meaningful responses to this moral outrage — to bolster existing protections and expand services for survivors, including those made possible by the landmark Trafficking Victims Protection Act.”

Seitz criticized “proposals currently being discussed” that he said would “weaken or eliminate decades of bipartisan progress on this issue.” 

“We must reject policies that lead to expanded opportunities for bad actors to prey on the vulnerable, whether within or beyond our country’s borders,” he said. 

Last month, Seitz and USCCB President Archbishop Timothy Broglio released a statement critical of the Trump administration’s plans to curb immigration.

“Preventing any access to asylum and other protections will only endanger those who are most vulnerable and deserving of relief while empowering gangs and other predators to exploit them,” the bishops said at the time. 

The bishops ask St. Josephine to intercede “as we pray for an end to human trafficking and for the healing, protection, and safety of all victims and survivors alike, especially for children and those in our society who are afraid to seek help because they are marginalized.” 

St. Josephine, who became a nun after being freed from slavery, is “a reminder that the fight against human trafficking is not just a social issue but a spiritual mission,” and her transformation is “a powerful testament to hope, healing, and unyielding resilience.”

“On her feast day, all are encouraged to pray for an end to modern slavery and recommit to building a world where every person’s dignity is respected and protected, from conception to natural death,” the statement said.