Archdiocese's religious women target human trafficking

Special to the WCR
Edmonton

Sister Frances O'Brien, a Sister of Providence of Kingston, Ont., and Barbara Baker, a lay-associate of the Sisters of Providence, facilitated a workshop to examine the world-wide reality of human trafficking at the spring assembly of the religious women of the Archdiocese of Edmonton at the Providence Renewal Centre.

Mail order brides

This issue is one of the priorities of the CRC (Canadian Religious Conference).

The facilitators outlined some of the more common forms of this problem today such as the luring or abduction and subsequent sale of women and children around the world for domestic service such as nannies, sweat-shop workers, mail-order brides, forced prostitution and the "entertainment industry" such as exotic dancers.

Many of these young women are promised employment opportunities that would allow them to prosper and to support their families at home.

Instead, they are forced into prostitution.

Olympics

An upcoming concern is the expected trafficking of women for the sex-trade industry expected to surround the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games.

This information was received with concern by the 80 or so participants at the May 11-12 meeting, which included lay women, as well as David Bouchard, the representative of the CRC (Alberta/B.C.), and Julien Hammond, director of pastoral services of the archdiocese.

Sister Norma Johnson, a Sister of Our Lady of Charity who has experience working in this area, commented on how the problem is present and flourishing in Canada.

"The group sessions generated much interest and energy resulting in a strong desire for action and involvement on the part of the sisters," said Sister Patricia Derbyshire, a Sister of Charity of St. Louis, who recently moved here from Calgary.

Action plan

The action plan established over the two days to address this issue is as follows:

1. The sisters to continue to network among themselves to address this issue;
2. The outcome of the assembly be brought to the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council to search for ways that the sisters can collaborate with them;
3. The newly formed sisters' volunteer committee network with other interested existing groups in the greater Edmonton area and in particular with the sisters of the Archdiocese of Vancouver in relation to the 2010 Olympics.

Voice of support

Another participant, Dr. Caroline Nolan, professor of Scripture, Newman Theological College, expressed her support of the sisters' plan.

The assembly was considered to be a success and many looked forward to participating in the upcoming forum on Preventing Human Trafficking, Oct. 12-14, in Red Deer.

For further information contact: changing@interbaun.com.

Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 -- Western Catholic Reporter