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Human Trafficking

Writer: Profiles in CatholicismProfiles in Catholicism
Jun 11, 202015 min read


A Message from the Editor

In this issue of Profiles in Catholicism, we address the pandemics of human trafficking and racism. There is a common factor that connects these two tragedies – dehumanization. Human traffickers and racists perceive their victims as less than human.

We all need to reflect if we have any responsibility for these pandemics. Have our communities of faith addressed these challenges? Have we personally remained silent when were have encountered racism or human trafficking in our communities? Silence is not golden, Silence is consent.

As Covid-19 decimates our communities and affects our loved ones, it may be

helpful to check out our Coronavirus web for some of the latest treatment options. We feature many articles from leading medical journals as well as general news.

Profiles in Catholicism are distributed to several thousand people in 67 countries. We rely on our readers for donations to continue and expand our mission. If you support our mission and find our publication of value, please make a tax-deductible donation.

A Quote to Remember

“Human Trafficking is a crime against humanity. We must unite our efforts to free victims and stop this crime that’s become even more aggressive, that threatens not just individuals, but the foundational values of society, international security and laws, the economy, families, and communities.”

by Pope Francis

Special Prayer

Prayer to End Human Trafficking


O Lord, you said you came: “to set the captives free.” In our world, young men and women who are trafficked are modern-day slaves. Help these young people not to lose hope. Give the grace for elected officials to grow in awareness of and to take active steps to eradicate this horror. Teach them not to prosecute the victims of trafficking but to bring to justice those who perpetrate this crime. Lord, give the grace of conversion to those who mistreat unfortunates for their own personal gain. May demand decrease as people realize that prostitution is a crime against human dignity, forced upon these people, who are more victim than anything else. May the awareness of this horrendous crime spread throughout the world and may many join the efforts to stop trafficking and help the victims begin anew, filled with hope.

We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

by Sr. Veronica Piccone, MSC Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

A Prayer for George Floyd

Dear Loving Father,

Our hearts are wrenched with sadness and despair as George Floyd is buried today. His life becomes bigger than life itself as we see the repercussions of all that has transpired. Assist us O Lord in our understanding of one another as we heal. Help us to heal ourselves, help us to heal all we come in contact with, help us to make the changes we need for transforming our society into one that loves. Let us come away from this experience as people who know you in others. Help us to realize that the pandemic of racism needs our attention now. Help us to realize that in working together with one another we can imitate the Holy Spirit in His desire to create the joy and love deep down in each person's heart. Help us to keep his family and the whole human race in our prayers so that we may become who you want us to be through Christ Our Lord, Amen

by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism

Prayer for Dismantling Racism

Dear God, in our efforts to dismantle racism, we understand that we struggle not merely against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities – those institutions and systems that keep racism alive by perpetuating the lie that some members of the family are inferior and others superior.

Create in us a new mind and heart that will enable us to see brothers and sisters in the faces of those divided by racial categories.

Give us the grace and strength to rid ourselves of racial stereotypes that oppress some of us while providing entitlements to others.

Help us to create a Church and nation that embraces the hopes and fears of oppressed People of Color where we live, as well as those around the world.

Heal your family God, and make us one with you, in union with our brother Jesus, and empowered by your Holy Spirit.

Amen.

by the Pax Christi Anti-Racism Team.

A Prayer for Social Justice

God our Father, the diverse cultures, languages, and races in the world reflect your creativity and ingenuity in the art of creation. Help us to respect your dignity in each and every human being we meet irrespective of their social status or physical appearance. May the Holy Spirit direct us to promote the work of healing, reconciliation and celebration of the differences that exist among us so that justice and peace may reign in our world. We ask these through Jesus the Lord, Amen

by Tony Famave Profiles in Catholicism

A Prayer for the Peaceful Demonstrators against Racism

Dear Good and Gracious God,

We implore you to help the peaceful demonstrators who in their hearts are concerned about our rampant racism. Help them to continue the important work of helping others. Help them share the thoughts of peace with each other and with the people they meet. Help them to understand the importance of peace for all of us. Help them to realize the importance of merciful justice. Help them in their deliberations on how to proceed. Help them understand the complexity of others life and what they are dealing with. Help them to realize that many people are out of work and don't have meaning in their lives. Help them to continue to obey the laws of the country and continue their good example to all of us. Help them use the gifts of the Holy Spirit of wisdom, counsel, knowledge, fortitude, good thoughts, and fear of the Lord so that we all might act in the light of the Lord. Help us to forgive anyone who challenges what we are doing and all the little nastiness that happen without much thought. Help us Lord to notice those who are sweeping the sidewalk and emptying the garbage so that there is a peace established in each of our communities. Bless all the peaceful demonstrators Lord so they can continue to change and transform the world in a way that helps us understand the goodness and intention of each other for the good of our communities and our world

by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism

A Prayer for Ending Police Racism and Violence


God of Mercy, we pray for the loved ones of the 137 Black people killed by police officers this year. We pray as well for the loved ones of the police officers who were killed in the line of duty protecting other citizens. May all know the healing touch that comes from your love and peace.

We ask that you give wisdom, courage and insight to those who are fashioning new programs for police departments; that racial bias training is established; that more female officers are hired; that police departments match the racial diversity of the neighborhoods they serve; that departmental records be opened for research; and that more police officers wear body cameras. Help us and other citizens to recognize that these measures can and should be put in place. They fuel our hopes for an end to police racism and brutality.

So be it.

by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality and Practice

A Prayer for Those Whose Businesses Were Looted in the United States Racial Demonstrations

With your watchful eye, Lord, you keep us in your provident care.

Be with those who have struggled and suffered through civil unrest.

We ask your help in a special way for those whose livelihood was damaged and whose families are hurt.

Lead us in paths of peace and harmony. Amen

by Father Louis Cameli Profiles In Catholicism

A Prayer for Police Harmed in the United States

Racial Demonstrations

Good and gracious God,

During this time of unrest we ask you to send forth your Spirit and help us to renew your earth with the joy of serving all we come in contact with. Help the police people who are struggling to maintain order. Help the police people who are trying to be kind when others are throwing things at them. Help the police people who want to assist all the people they come in contact with. Help the police people to use good words on others and their fellow police people. Help them to look at each person they meet as a gift from Almighty God who will help them in their struggle. Help them to realize any touch or words that hurt another is inappropriate. Help them to reach out to let them know where they should be at this moment to keep everyone orderly and in union with each other. Help the police people to be kind when others are mean or rude Help police people to say a private prayer to you, Holy Spirit, for whatever situation arises before them. We ask you to give us the graces to do our work in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit

by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism

A Prayer for Alejandro Ripley

One Life Uprooted

Dear God the Father, Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth,

Your love loves each life into being, both fragile and firm,

Each beautiful, both burgeoning but inheriting a blemish,

Just as your love acts in the union out of which we spring,

So you enrich us with the many helps that, together,

Strengthen, colour and enhance our gift of life

Swelling, growing, expressing what is hidden –

Receive the sprouting seed, the seedling, the young plant,

Prematurely plucked from the soil that nourished it,

Tragically uprooted, not transplanted, withered not watered.

Dear Lord, Only Son of the Father, Merciful Redeemer of All,

You know the plight of parents, their struggles and strife,

The long hours and lonely difficulties that blight our lives,

You know both the delights and the temptations that would

Turn us back from the beginning that you planned and planted

Between us, as delicate as a fledgling plant, too helpless

To roam far and wide, too young to leave, too needy to be left –

Forgive the suppressing suffocation of the help we did not seek,

The terrible turning from the turn towards you to complete

What you began and wanted to flourish in the fullness of life.

Oh Holy Spirit and Lord of Life, Gift from Gift and Help of All,

Turn us all to the help of each and everyone who lives:

Turn parents back to their children’s nurture and neediness,

Turn mother’s back from being lost in labyrinthine ways,

Turn father’s back to loving their wives and helping in the home,

Turn children back to discovering their good gifts, freely given,

Turn the family back to fostering the good of all.

Dear Jesus, Son of Mary and Child in the Care of St. Joseph,

You lived through the childhood of children,

Silently but significantly present, inviting us to remember

Your presence among us at all times and in any place –

Walk with us through all our joys and sorrows and

Show us, in ways unique to you, how to heal broken wounds

And accompany those untimely taken to the Father’s heart;

Dear Mary, Mother of the Lord and Spouse of Joseph,

You passed in the midst of many and profound sufferings,

You know the hardship of fleeing violence, struggling with little,

Opening your home to others and being with your dying son –

Make your presence known to us in the daily difficulties of life,

Bringing consolation, hope and inspiration to pass through

the impassable problems, whether obvious or hidden;

Dear St. Joseph, Guardian of the Child Jesus and Spouse of Mary,

You experienced the trials of poverty and persecution,

Protecting your family and trading in uncertain times,

Opening your skills and talents to those around you –

Lead us in recovering our neglect as husbands and fathers,

Guiding us in our work, recreation and choice of companions,

Enabling us to bridge home and work, faithful to all.

Oh Blessed Trinity, Origin of Creation and all that is good,

Cause of the people of God and the mystery of the Holy Family,

Be present in our daily life, ever drawing us out of our resistance

To calling on you each and every day on the path that pulls

Us through the vortex of time, drawing ever more people

Heavenward, while multiplying the cultivation of the earth

Through which we pass, as pilgrims, bequeathing ever greater

Benefits to those who remain and raising a song of praise,

Ever resounding, ever mounting the reasons for thanksgiving.

Amen.


by Francis Etheredge Profiles in Catholicism

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Closing Prayer

A Prayer for Those Who Have Made Donations to Profiles in Catholicism

God most kind,

Bless all those who have supported Profiles in Catholicism

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Let their generosity bear much fruit.

Let those of us who benefit from this publication

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by Father Louis Cameli Profiles In Catholicism

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