Day For Life, 7 October, 2018.

This Sunday, 7 October 2018, the Church in Ireland marks the Day for Life, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the meaning and value of human life at every stage, and in every condition. Day for Life is celebrated each year by the Catholic Church in Ireland, Scotland, and in England & Wales. The theme for this year’s Day for Life is focused on human trafficking and modern slavery. Printed copies of the Day for Life pastoral message will be circulated at parish Masses throughout the country over this weekend. The text of the pastoral message is available in English (see below), and is also available in the Irish and Polish languages on www.catholicbishops.ie

Materials are available at: www.chooselife2018.ie/Day4Life/

This year’s pastoral message includes a testimony from Daia* from Nigeria, who is a victim of human trafficking. The message also highlights the work of the Santa Marta Group, which works internationally to bring the Catholic Church and law enforcement agencies together to eradicate slavery. Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin and the Bishops’ Conference Day for Life delegate, has recorded a video message which can be found on Twitter @catholicbishops

A special web feature is available on www.catholicbishops.ie which includes:.

Text of the Day for Lifepastoral message
Prayers of Intercession on the theme of Human Trafficking.

A Diocese or local Church community can effect real change for trafficked people.

The Catholic community can make a real difference to help solve this problem – to help victims find freedom and live life to the full. There are many organisations working to put a stop to human trafficking and modern slavery. One of these, the Santa Marta Group, works internationally to bring the Catholic Church and law enforcement agencies together to eradicate slavery.

To read more visit www.santamartagroup.com.