Feastday Highlights Realities of Modern Slavery

Bishops and ACRATH Release Media Statement

The Catholic Church in Australia and around the world will recommit to fighting slavery and human trafficking in the coming days as it celebrates the feast of St Josephine Bakhita. Pope Francis, who has continued the papal tradition of clear denunciation of human
trafficking and slavery, has designated February 8 as a day of prayer, reflection and action to end the injustice of human trafficking.

St Josephine Bakhita, the patron saint for victims of slavery, was born in the west Sudanese region of Darfur in 1869. As a young girl, she was kidnapped for slavery in both Sudan and Italy. Following her delivery from slavery, Josephine became a Canossian Sister and dedicated her life to sharing her story and to supporting the poor and suffering. She died on February 8, 1947 and was canonised in 2000. Read more…