Caceres archdiocese holds Week of Prayer against Human Trafficking

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat

On February 1, Sunday, the Philippine Catholic Church observed the National Day of Prayer against Human Trafficking, which has become a pressing social reality and urgent concern for the country, especially for children.

In a statement issued by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (CBCP ECMI), it is said that human trafficking “reflect deeper social conditions that demand urgent and sustained response”.

The statement also decried human trafficking as it is a means to deny human dignity, and a cause of marring the conscience of society and spoiling the moral foundation of the nation.

“It is a profound moral concern that calls for conversion of hearts and transformation of systems.”

CBCP ECMI Chairman Bishop Socrates Mesiona, MSP stressed in the statement that the fight against human trafficking is a shared national call. He urged Dioceses to actively campaign against human trafficking and to strengthen the Diocesan commissions' response for this urgent social concern.

“We call on parishes to become spaces of vigilance, education, and protection by integrating human trafficking awareness into catechesis, youth formation, and family life,” he said. “The protection of human dignity must remain at the center of public policy and governance.”

In the local Church of Caceres, through a circular dated January 28, Caceres Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon expressed solidarity with the National Day of Prayer against Human Trafficking. 

“The Archdiocese of Caceres joins the Church throughout the country in renewed prayer, vigilance and action against this grave violation of human dignity,” Alarcon said.

He also urged participation for the Week of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking, an annual observance led by the Caceres Office for Women and Children Protection (COWCP) headed by Fr. Jhonan’z Vibar. 

Themed “Gabos kaayon, Gabos may gibúhon: Breaking Exploitation through Faith and Action”, the said Archdiocesan Week of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking started last Monday, February 2, and will end on Sunday, February 8, feast of St. Josephine Bakhita -patroness of victims of human trafficking, and International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking.

On February 6, Friday, the 14th St. Josephine Bakhita Lecture Series will be held at the St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Buhi, Camarines Sur.