ACRATH Present at Launch of Australian Freedom Network
Faith Leaders Pledge to Work for Freedom
ACRATH members, Srs Genny Ryan and Noelene Simmons, were present at the launch of the Australian Freedom Network in Parliament House, Canberra on 2nd December. Also present at the launch was Sr Rosemary Grundy pbvm, Director of Catholic Religious Australia. Seventeen faith leaders signed a declaration committing their faith communities to work to eliminate slavery in Australia and beyond. The faith leaders signed the same book that Pope Francis and other word faith leaders signed in the Vatican one year ago today. Australia is the first country to sign the declaration. Members of the Australian Federal Parliament who were in attendance endorsed the Joint declaration. The work of ACRATH was affirmed by the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP and by Fr Brian Lucas, General Secretary of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Fr Brian signed the declaration on behalf of Archbishop Denis Hart, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference. ACRATH is committed to working in collaboration with faith communities in an effort to eliminate human trafficking and modern day slavery.