Pope Praises "Courageous Commitment" of Religious Against Human Trafficking

(15 June 09 - RV) Pope Benedict has lauded the “courageous commitment in defence of human life” of religious sisters involved in helping victims of human trafficking.


The Pope’s praise was contained in a telegram sent Sister Louise Madore, President of the International Union of Major Superiors, to mark the opening of a conference here in Rome called “Female Religious in Network against Trafficking in Persons”.


The 3 day conference is organized by the International Union of Superior Generals of women religious and the International organization for migration and aims to coordinate their efforts to combat the problem of trafficking in human persons.


The telegram signed on the Pope’s behalf by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, states the Holy Father’s hopes that this meeting create new awareness of the “invaluable work” of all those committed to “overcoming all forms of exploitation” of the human person.