WASHINGTON – “Human trafficking is not only a serious crime—it is a rejection of the God-given dignity of every human being. It is, as Pope Francis has said, an open wound on the Body of Christ and on the body of all humanity, demanding an ongoing, united response,” said Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration.

The International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking is observed by Catholics across the globe on February 8. It coincides with the feast day of Saint Josephine Bakhita, patron saint of those impacted by the sin of human trafficking. Bishop Seitz encouraged Catholics and all people of goodwill to unite in prayer and action to combat human trafficking, which has been referred to as “modern-day slavery,” while also urging policymakers to address trafficking in constructive ways:

“The Catholic Church in the United States has long been at the forefront of the fight against human trafficking, and the U.S. bishops stand firmly alongside our Holy Father in his consistent efforts to shed light on this global injustice. As Pope Francis reminds us, we must mobilize our resources in combating trafficking and accompanying those who have been exploited in this way. This must be an ongoing effort of collective vigilance, for if we close our eyes and ears, if we become complacent, we will be held to account at the Last Judgement. As Catholics, we are called to face this issue with both courage and compassion, to initiate hard conversations, and to confront the harsh realities of trafficking and exploitation. At the same time, we will continue urging policymakers at all levels of government to pursue meaningful responses to this moral outrage—to bolster existing protections and expand services for survivors, including those made possible by the landmark Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Unfortunately, many of the proposals currently being discussed would weaken or eliminate decades of bipartisan progress on this issue. We must reject policies that lead to expanded opportunities for bad actors to prey on the vulnerable, whether within or beyond our country’s borders.

“We seek the intercession of Saint Josephine as we pray for an end to human trafficking and for the healing, protection, and safety of all victims and survivors alike, especially for children and those in our society who are afraid to seek help because they are marginalized.”

Saint Josephine’s life is a reminder that the fight against human trafficking is not just a social issue but a spiritual mission. As a survivor of human trafficking, St. Josephine’s transformation from captive to religious sister is a powerful testament to hope, healing, and unyielding resilience. On her feast day, all are encouraged to pray for an end to modern slavery and recommit to building a world where every person’s dignity is respected and protected, from conception to natural death. Guided by Catholic teaching and the Vatican’s Pastoral Orientations on Human Trafficking, the USCCB remains dedicated to raising awareness about and amplifying efforts to prevent trafficking. Together with national Catholic partners, the USCCB has been urging Congress to reauthorize the bipartisan Trafficking Victims Protection Act for multiple years.

For more information and additional resources related to the Church’s work to combat human trafficking, please visit: https://www.usccb.org/resources/Human%20Trafficking,%20U.S.%20Policy,%20and%20the%20Catholic%20Church.pdf