Pope Francis: Free women from the slavery of prostitution
Pope Francis contributes the preface to a new book on human trafficking, entitled « Women crucified”, by Fr Aldo Buonaiuto, a priest of the Pope John XXIII Community. The shame of human trafficking as told from the street ». In the preface, Pope Francis recalls one of his Mercy Friday visits to a house run by the Pope John XXIII Community for victims of human trafficking. “I did not think I would find such humiliated, afflicted and suffering women there”, writes the Pope. “Truly, women crucified”. Pope Francis describes listening to “the moving and very human stories of these unfortunate women, some of them with their child in their arms”. Afterwards, he says he felt the need to “ask forgiveness for the real tortures they had to endure because of their clients, many of whom call themselves Christian”. Rescue and rehabilitation “A person can never be offered for sale”, writes the Pope.…
World Migrant and Refugee Day
Pope Francis chose as his theme of reflection and prayer: “Migrant minors, vulnerable and voiceless.”. Prayer proposed by the Conference of the Bishops of France: Lord, God of the universe You are the Father of all the children of the earth. You know each one. You look at us not as nameless beings But as persons, with a face, a story. Each one is for you a beloved child! Teach us to look at one another as you look at us. Teach us to dare to look into another’s eyes. Open our eyes to meet You in our brothers and sisters. You have a preference for the little ones. Like Jesus, you turn toward children and youth. We give thanks for their energy And for the hope which they bear. They remind us that the future lies ahead of us: A future to be built together, in…
In Sicily the “sisters of the world” with migrants
The “sisters of the world”: an international team of religious women in Sicily with the migrants. Pope Francis asked religious last year to get involved in welcoming migrants. At the request of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) the Missionary Sister of Our Lady of Africa (White Sisters) decided to participate in an inter-congregational, international team to welcome the migrants who land in Sicily. These migrants also come from Africa and for them, to be welcomed by African religious who can understand their drama is a valuable relief. Sister Vicky Chiharhula, Missionary of Our Lady of Africa, Conglaise, shares the first steps of this team. Sisters with migrants in Sicily We arrived in Sicily on Dec 12, 2015—from five congregations, different nationalities: Argentina, Eritrea, India, Poland and the Democratic Republic of Congo. We were very well received by everyone in the diocese of Agrigento and beyond. From…
Dear Mr. /Mrs….
MIGRANTS : Faced with this situation the Sisters of Our Lady of Africa and the Missionaries of Africa sent a letter to political leaders of the European Union and European countries, asking them to address the causes of migration and proposing a change in the economic policy. In May and June, many migrant trying to get into Europe lost their lives crossing the Mediterranean. Despite numerous protests, statements and letters from associations, individuals and some politicians, the European Union, and most European governments and politicians continued to strengthen the closure of their borders to prevent economic migrants and political refugees from entering in Europe. Dear Mr. /Mrs…. We need to transform our economic system: We appeal to you o To promote in your own [party, government, parliament…] a reflection on the root causes of migration and a discussion on the required transformation of our economic system. o Initiate and…
O Migrant, “rest here” with us…
My brother, My sister, You left everything, your home, your family, your friends, your country…. You left, set out,.. arriving in an unknown country, With people who speak another language, Who have different customs, a different religion than yours…. How many obstacles encountered, not counting all those met on the way… in Sinai, Turkey, Libya, on the seas…. and now in the country where you seek a welcome. In addition, without an apparent future, With tomorrow’s insecurity, In search of the papers to regularize your situation, Lacking the necessary for your vital needs. Being unable to speak, to really express yourself….. Unable to comprehend all these papers, not knowing what they mean, What to do …… O my brother, O my sister in humanity, I would like to be able to say to you… “rest here” with us,…. do not worry. I hope that…
Migrants in the Algerian desert
Already two weeks ago I wanted to write something about a particular adventure – an adventure about migration; an adventure about human encounter. It is still possible to have beautiful encounters, free encounters, transforming encounters. Ghardaia, November 2013, the first hints of rain, little drizzles in the evening. The day is sunny and fresh, otherwise cold! The small desert offers its stones to the sun’s rays as if to suck the heat and keep it for the nights, already difficult to bear without shelter. The Algerian cities have been visited for the past year by unusual people, women and children from the south, begging by day, disappearing at night. At first like the war-refugees from Mali, then recognized as Nigerians, their presence questioned, sometimes disturbing, often leading to compassion. Algerian Associations mobilize quickly to bring them food, especially when cold attacks these scantily clad people. Some newspapers write about them.…