Throughout the diocese on the weekend of March 29-30, parishes will hold a second collection for Catholic Relief Services. Support for the collection provides emergency assistance to victims of war and natural disasters; assists migrants and refugees who need housing, education, and specialized legal assistance; and supports travelers and others whose livelihoods require special pastoral support to access the sacraments. Among the most vulnerable of migrants are the victims of human trafficking. 

In a letter to parishes, Bishop Raica noted, “Millions of men, women, and children worldwide are coerced or forced through human trafficking into commercial sex activities, labor, and slavery-abuses which the Holy Father has called ‘a crime against humanity.’” The bishop went on to identify two ministries supported by the collection to fight human trafficking. 

The first mentioned by Bishop Raica was the Department of Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) of the United State Conference of Catholic Bishops, which has two anti-trafficking, anti-slavery programs. The Become a Shepherd program is a parish-based awareness campaign that educates lay and religious leaders to recognize human trafficking and combat it through public engagement and advocacy at the community level. The second initiative, COMPASS (Coalition of Organizations and Ministries Promoting the Abolition of Slavery at Sea), is a global effort in which international Catholic and non-Catholic partners coordinate to identify and assist victims of modern slavery encountered in the commercial fishing and seafood-processing industries. 

The bishop pointed out that the “invaluable work to assist these victims of abuse and injustice” is supported by funds received through the Catholic Relief Services Collection. The faithful’s participation in the collection helps MRS and five other Catholic ministries to “reveal Christ's love to victims of trafficking, war, and natural disaster both around the world and here in the United States.” 

To learn more about the collection and the people who benefit, please visit www.usccb.org/catholic-relief.