The Perth Catholic community have last weekend Saturday 10 December come together at the Chapel of St Thomas Aquinas, Aquinas College for an evening of beautiful music and to reflect on the current reality of modern slavery in Australia and our world.
The event, “Leaning Towards the Light – A Christmas Reflection on Modern Slavery” was hosted by Catholic Mission with the aim of raising funds for projects that prevent human trafficking in Ethiopia and Thailand.
Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB delivered the final blessing for the occasion.
As part of the occasion, a panel of experts participated in a pre-concert symposium to help attendees gain an understanding of how modern slavery impacts individuals, communities, and society.
The symposium included a discussion of how businesses and Catholic organisations must assess and address the risks of modern slavery in their supply chains and operations to comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2018.
The symposium was moderated by Dr Fiona McGaughey from the University of Western Australia who also gave a compelling keynote reflection as part of the concert program.
Other panellists included Jenny Stanger representing the Australian Catholic Anti-slavery Network (ACAN), Dr Martijn Boersma, Associate Professor of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking at the University of Notre Dame Australia and Shaeron Yapp, Principal Adviser for Human Rights at Rio Tinto.
The event also coincided with United Nations International Human Rights Day, which falls on 10 December every year.
Attendees were treated to a professional musical program featuring international star tenor Paul O’Neill, organist Alessandro Pittorino and the Aquinas College Schola Cantorum choir conducted by Hugh Lydon.
A live stream of the program was beamed across the world to a global audience.
“It was privilege to represent ACAN at this event which uniquely combined music and words to create awareness about modern slavery and also action to support prevention programs on the ground,” said Jenny Stanger.
“I commend the organisers for making a multi-year commitment to these projects,” she said.
The event was made possible by the following major sponsors: Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand, Crimestoppers WA, the University of Notre Dame Australia and the West Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office (WACMRO).
WA Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office, Director Deacon Greg Lowe said the event reminds us to face the social sin of modern slavery with courage.
“And with God’s grace, to eliminate it for the good of those people and their families who are impacted by it in Australia and in our region,” Deacon Greg said.
Catholic Mission WA Director, Francis Leong thanked Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, for attending, as well as the event partners, sponsors and supporters.
“Further, I warmly invite the whole Catholic community to consider participating in 2023,” Mr Leong said.
Donations can still be made from anywhere across Australia by visiting the Catholic Mission website.
Dr Fiona McGaughey’s Christmas Reflection can also be viewed here: https://www.acan.org.au/acan-blog/christmas-keynote-reflection-10-december-2022- aquinas-college-perth
The event will take place again in 2023 as part of a five-year fundraising commitment to the projects overseas.
For more information, contact Francis Leong at director.cm@perthcatholic.org.au