Vatican City, 5 December 2014 (VIS) –
The Pope has sent a message to Cardinal Vincent Nichols, archbishop
of Westminster and president of the Episcopal Conference of England
and Wales on the occasion of the Second Conference of the Santa Marta
Group, taking place in London, United Kingdom, on 5 and 6 December.
The Santa Marta Group – whose name
derives from the Holy Father's residence, where the members stayed
during their first conference held in the Vatican last April – is
composed of High Commissioners of international police forces and
bishops from around the world who, along with members of civil
society, are working together to prevent and eradicate human
trafficking, and to help victims. Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe,
Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, London, and Cardinal
Nichols are the co-presidents of the group.
Francis expressed his deep gratitude to
all present for their resolve in combating this evil and for your
commitment to carry on the work begun at the conference held in the
Vatican in April of this year. “Your labours to promote ongoing
dialogue on the legal remedies to human trafficking and on the
essential care of those who suffer this enslavement are especially
important because of the hidden nature of this crime. We must never
forget, nor may we ignore, the suffering of so many men, women and
children whose human dignity is violated through this exploitation”.
He went on to thank the Home Secretary
of the British government, the Metropolitan Commissioner of Police,
and the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales for organising the
event and the delegates “who demonstrate anew their commitment by
their participation in this initiative. In assuring you that the
Church remains steadfast in her pledge to combat human trafficking
and to care for victims of this scourge, I offer the promise of my
prayers that Almighty God may bless and guide your efforts”.
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