In a pastoral appeal marking the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the Chairperson of the Department for Social Action of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC), urged pastoral agents and civil society organizations to intensify their commitment to fighting human trafficking and to restoring the dignity of survivors.

“Let us never tire to protect the human dignity of those who are violated, abused, exploited or enslaved,” said Bishop Thulani Victor Mbuyisa. Representing Bishop Joseph Mary Kizito, the SACBC Liaison Bishop for Migrants, Refugees and Human Trafficking, who was attending the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) Plenary Assembly in Kigali.

In the July 30, 2025, online session, Bishop Mbuyisa issued a bold and pastoral challenge to Church leaders, religious actors, and civil society representatives to confront what Pope Francis had repeatedly called “an open wound on the body of contemporary society, a scourge upon the body of Christ.”

The Bishop of Kokstad Diocese and a member of the Congregation of Mariannhill Missionaries (CMM) underscored that human trafficking is not only a distant global crime, but a lived reality within the African continent.

“The Church cannot be silent,” he insisted. “We must engage, reflect, act, and collaborate to liberate those caught in modern-day slavery.” He acknowledged and thanked those already walking this path—the Church workers and civil society members who accompany survivors, denounce injustice, and build systems of protection, especially within contexts of forced migration.

Bishop Mbuyisa also highlighted the importance of joint efforts, naming key partners such as Talitha Kum International, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the National Freedom Network, and the Leadership Conference of Consecrated Life of South Africa (LCCLSA). Referring to the Holy Father’s appeal, he added: “Pope Leo XIV has called on us to build bridges of peace during this Jubilee Year of Hope. Walking with victims of trafficking, migrants and refugees is one such bridge. Let us never grow tired of defending their dignity.”

A Regional Commitment Rooted in Hope

The online workshop, themed ‘Listen, Protect and Set Free: Paths of Hope Against Human Trafficking’, was convened by the SACBC’s Migrants, Refugees and Human Trafficking Office, coordinated by Scalabrinian missionary Sr. Neide Lamperti, in collaboration with the Inter-regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA). 71 participants from across Southern Africa, including representatives of episcopal conferences, religious congregations, civil society organizations, and survivors of trafficking, attended the online session.

Following Bishop Mbuyisa’s opening address, Fitriana Nur, a senior regional protection specialist at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), offered a regional analysis of human trafficking trends in Sub-Saharan Africa. Her presentation drew attention to structural vulnerabilities, such as poverty, conflict, and lack of legal protections, and called for more coherent inter-agency responses.

Prophetic Voices and Collaborative Action

Another speaker during the session was Sr. Jackeline Mwikali Mwongela from Kenya, Coordinator of the Talitha Kum Africa Youth Ambassadors, who built upon the workshop’s theme by highlighting hope-filled paths of listening, protection, and liberation. She shared practical examples of current initiatives being led by youth and religious communities across the continent, underscoring the importance of both prophetic witness and structural change.

Additional reflections were offered by Scalabrinian missionary sisters serving in Angola and Mozambique.  Sr Carla Luísa Frey Bamberg and Sr Marinês Biasibetti described the pastoral responses of local Churches in their respective countries. They emphasized education, shelter for survivors, and local awareness-raising as key priorities.

Another moving moment of the day was the testimony of a trafficking survivor, who recounted her traumatic journey and ongoing path toward healing and restoration. Her witness brought into sharp relief the human cost of trafficking and the Church’s responsibility to listen, accompany, and act.

A Closing Commitment to the Gospel of Life

In her closing remarks, Sr. Neide Lamperti expressed gratitude to all participants and reiterated the call for practical collaboration rooted in Gospel values. A final prayer was offered by the LCCLSA, and Bishop Mbuyisa imparted a pastoral blessing.