Following the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, which is commemorated each year on July 30 - Sister Leonida Katunge appealed for men and women of goodwill to look into the dramatic issue of organ trafficking.
By Sister Leonida Katunge
All that brings to mind the sad moments of past bitter experiences are not worthy of celebration. The Catholic Church commemorates the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, not to celebrate His death, but to call to mind the fact that through His death, salvation came into the world. This is the good side of a sad story that ends joyfully. But it is quite the opposite when dealing with cases of human trafficking, where most of the time, those involved face a sad ending.
The annual commemoration of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons is a moment in which we recognize the life and suffering of so many brothers and sisters who have been victims of trafficking in the world. Many of them suffer while being trafficked, especially after they survive. The wounds are physical, emotional, social, political, economic, and spiritual.
The theme of this year’s commemoration - “Leave no child behind in the fight against human trafficking” - reminds me of a sorrowful experience I had in May 2020. It was a day just like any other when received a call from an unknown number. I answered, and the person calling was a lady in distress. She informed me that she had been arrested by the police at the airport, but gave no reason for her arrest.
