From US Newswire:
A representative of the U.S. Catholic Bishops called on the Senate to protect children exploited by human trafficking in the United States.
Sister Mary Ellen Dougherty, a School Sister of Notre Dame and a member of the Bishops' Office for Migration and Refugee Services, urged the action in testimony, July 7, before the Senate Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights, headed by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). She testified at a hearing on "Examining U.S. Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking and Slavery."
Sister Dougherty said trafficking is "a modern-day form of slavery" and "the largest manifestation of slavery today."
"Human beings are being sold into bondage as prostitutes, domestic workers, child laborers and child soldiers," she said.
An estimated 700,000 persons annually are being trafficked worldwide, with about 17,000 in the United States. One-third of the victims in the United States are children.
"We must pay particular attention to child trafficking victims and ensure that they are protected and provided special care," said Sister Dougherty.
Matt's Chat
While we're at it, Sister, care to address, on behalf of the US Catholic Bishops the abuse scandal that has plagued your Church? While I agree that human trafficking is an abomination that must be eliminated, the Catholic Church should avoid making value statements about protecting children until they clean their own House of God.As an aside, here is what the President is doing about the situation.
