Nuns attack trafficking of women and children

Catholic New Times, Dec 5, 2004

MONTREAL -- The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM), an international religious order of about 1,400 members have announced a campaign of education and action in response to the international trafficking in women and children for purposes of sexual exploitation and forced child labor.

According to the group's leader, Sister Mary Pat LeRoy, "We are proud to be in solidarity with 800 women's orders, representing one million members throughout the world, who have pledged to work toward the eradication of this outrageous and growing epidemic of trafficking in women and children. We call on our political and judicial leaders to address this issue with courage."

The educational programs will take place primarily in Canada and the United States, in areas where most of the sisters regularly minister.

The Sisters of the Holy Name are collaborating with other orders of women throughout the world in this effort. In 2001, the International Union of Superior Generals, representing one million sisters throughout the world, officially declared its commitment "to address at every level the abuse and sexual exploitation of women and children, with particular attention to the trafficking of women which has become a lucrative multinational business."