In comments to CNA, Czerny said migrants generally lack two key areas information, the first being the practical "what do you do when..." info, as well as answers to questions about what a migrant should do when they arrive to a bus station or shelter, and what to say and not to say.
The other area is a lack of correct information, he said, noting there is often an abundance of false information that reaches migrants, and "false information is the beginning of the trafficking problem...people are oriented in the wrong direction and they end up trapped."
Compounding the issue is the fact that many see the issue as something chaotic, assuming that it would be difficult to get the right information to migrants in the first place.
However, "when we look at it practically it's not chaotic, it's practical. It's people, and people are coming and if you have good information you can share it," Czerny said, adding that cell phones and other digital tools make it easy to share information, "but it has to be good information."
Pope Francis has often been outspoken about the issue of trafficking. He addressed the topic again, speaking specifically about the problem of false information, in a video message to the Second International Forum on Modern Slavery, taking place May 5-8 in Argentina, published May 7.
The pope said slavery is not something of the past, but is a grim reality for many men, women and children throughout the world.
Confronted with this "tragic reality," the pope said "no one can wash their hands who does not want to be, in some way, complicit in this crime against humanity."
He spoke of the need to overcome "the veil of indifference" covering this issue, and said it often times appears as if "many don't want to understand the scope of the problem."
"There are those who, being directly involved in criminal organizations, don't want this to be talked about simply because they get high profits thanks to the new forms of slavery," he said, noting that there are also those who know about the problem, but don't want to talk about it "because they find themselves at the end of the chain of consumption."
According to Fr. Czerny, the problem of prostitution, to which the pope was likely referring, is the biggest area of trafficking that migrants fall victim to.
Pope Francis said that enforcing stricter laws are not enough, but the root causes must also be addressed, such as poverty, violence, and corruption.
(Story continues below)
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news.
As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
The response to this issue, he said, must be based on creating opportunities for a true integral human development, beginning with education, which he said is "the key point."
Francis closed his message noting that the task is a difficult one which requires both patience and perseverance, but which will help in building "a society that is renewed and oriented toward freedom, justice and peace."
Elise Harris was senior Rome correspondent for CNA from 2012 to 2018.