General prayer intention of the Holy Father for May

(April 30, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI’s general prayer intention for the month of May is on the issue of human trafficking – that the shameful and monstrous trafficking in human beings, which sadly involves millions of women and children, may stop. The world’s poor are easy prey for those who wish to profit from the slave market. Many in rich countries purchase women and children to exploit. Slaves are abused sexually, tortured, put to hard labour, and even forced to have babies who are also sold as slaves. The problem is especially difficult because those who are enslaved sometimes cannot or do not understand that they are victims. Desperate because of poverty, war, or disaster, they seek to escape the hardship and danger of their circumstances, only to be trapped in a worse situation. They are cheated by promises of jobs, adoption and even marriage. Once sold, they are typically isolated, afraid, ashamed, unable to speak the language of their captors, and ignorant of laws and social services that would rescue them and allow them to live in freedom. Pope Benedict XVI asks us during the month of May to open our minds and hearts to the silent screams of these millions and pray for the end of this shameful and monstrous trafficking in human beings.