Scottish Catholic Observer

A campaign against human trafficking at next month’s Brazilian World Cup was launched this morning at the Holy See Press Office.

The Play for Life campaign was revealed by the Talitha Kum organisation—an ‘international network of consecrated life against trafficking in persons.’

Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and Kenneth Francis Hackett, the United States ambassador to the Holy See, attended the launch of the campaign.

Speaking at the event, Cardinal Braz de Aviz echoed the sentiments of Pope Francis in saying that human trafficking is ‘a wound on the body of contemporary humanity, a wound in Christ’s flesh.’

Also attending the campaign’s launch was Sr Carmen Sammut, president of the International Union of Superior Generals.

“This crime is present everywhere, for the profits from it are enormous,” she said. “Prevention of this type of human trafficking entails reducing the demands for sexual services. In order for this to happen, public opinion needs to be alerted.”

Earlier this year, 150 religious from Brazil gathered in the country’s capital city with representatives from Europe to raise awareness of human trafficking. NGOs have voiced concerns about the World Cup’s potential to increase human trafficking and child sexual exploitation as thousands prepare to descend on Brazil for the tournament.

Sr Gabriella Bottani, coordinator of Brazilian anti-trafficking group A Cry for Life, said that with a better understanding of the phenomenon and its causes, methods of encouraging it to be reported to the authorities can be found. “We must forcefully combat the code of silence and fear surrounding this serious violation of human dignity,” she said.

- [email protected]