Cardinal Nichols has praised women Religious for their role in combating human trafficking and modern slavery.
Addressing a conference at the United Nations, the Archbishop of Westminster celebrated the “remarkable partnership” between women Religious and Scotland Yard.
Cardinal Nichols told the assembly that the partnership, which began around four years ago, has “transformed the effectiveness of operations to rescue victims, care for them and pursue to prosecution the perpetrators of this horrendous crime”.
He continued: “I realised then the effectiveness of such partnerships, especially between unlikely partners. It was the fruit of the hard work of building trust, a work made up of many demanding practical steps, requiring change in mindsets and procedures.”
The Sisters had taken some time to come to trust the police, for fear that the women they were helping would be prosecuted, the cardinal said.
Cardinal Nichols was the representative of the Santa Marta Group on a panel alongside UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, Kevin Hyland, the UK’s first Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, and actress Mira Sorvino, the UN Goodwill Ambassador against Human Trafficking.
Founded in April 2014 by Pope Francis, and named after the guesthouse where he lives, the Santa Marta Group brings together the resources of the Catholic Church and the leaders of law enforcement to tackle human trafficking. The group is led by Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, and Cardinal Nichols. It is currently active in 36 countries.
The cardinal referred to Pope Francis in his speech at the United Nations as an “inspiring” figure, calling the Pontiff “direct and blunt in what he expects of us” in the elimination of modern slavery. He said the Pope expects “effective action on the ground which frees prisoners, comforts the victims, serves their wellbeing and generates new hope”.
Cardinal Nichols said: “Human trafficking and slavery radically strips a person of this fundamental dignity, reducing them to the status of a commodity. It is an evil crying out to heaven.
“That there are over 20 million people callously held in modern slavery in our world today is a mark of deep shame on the face of our human family that no words alone can remove.”
Pope Francis personally addressed the United Nations about modern slavery last September.
The Archbishop of Westminster was on a week-long visit to America in order to promote the work of the Santa Marta Group. While there he met officials at the Department of Homeland Security in Washington DC. He also visited the McCain Institute – a charity run by former Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain – which has a major programme against human trafficking.
The patron saint of the Santa Marta Group is St Josephine Bakhita, also known as “nostra Madre Moretta” (Our Black Mother), who was kidnapped at the age of nine and sold into slavery.
United Nations member countries have pledged to end human trafficking by 2030. According to the Santa Marta Group there are around 14,000 people in modern slavery in the UK alone.
Faith ‘reduces reoffending’
Faith, prayer and the sacraments help prisoners and contribute towards a decline in reoffending, according to a new survey. The study, conducted for the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales by Lemos and Crane, surveyed 332 Catholic prisoners.
Mgr Roger Reader, the bishops’ prisons adviser, said: “Through prayer and Confession, prisoners reflect on remorse and forgiveness. When they engage with faith groups it reduces reoffending; it strengthens a non-criminal identity.”
Areas of Catholic Herald business are still recovering post-pandemic.
However, we are reaching out to the Catholic community and readership, that has been so loyal to the Catholic Herald. Please join us on our 135 year mission by supporting us.
We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching.
We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Please consider donating.