Pope blesses congress on human trafficking

(June 15, 2009) Pope Benedict XVI has invoked God’s blessings on a 4-day international congress that began in Rome on Monday to study how women religious can network to fight the scourge of human trafficking. Vatican secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone sent a message on Monday on behalf of the Holy Father to Daughter of Wisdom Sr. Louise Madore, president of the International Union of Superiors General of women, UISG, expressing the Holy Father’s hearty appreciation for their praiseworthy initiative of the congress on the theme, “Religious Women Networking Against Human Trafficking”. The Holy Father hoped that the significant meeting will arouse a renewed awareness of the priceless value of life, bring about a more courageous commitment in the defence of human life and help overcome every form of exploitation. The June 15-18 congress is organised by the UISG and the International Organisation for Migration, which have been working together since 2004 to fight human trafficking by coordinating 15 international networks, which include 252 women’s congregations in 36 countries.