Three parish priests are examining what a ‘slavery-proofed’ parish would look like and how to implement slavery-free parish morning teas during 2022.
With the support of their parish community, they have been planning to commence the project from February 8, the feast day of St Josephine Bakhita, patron saint of victims of modern slavery and human trafficking.
Fr Bernard Lanarolle from the Innaloo-Karrinyup Parish, Fr Minh-Thuy Nguyen from Thornlie Parish and Fr Nelson Po from Applecross Parish will work together with the support of the West Australian Catholic Migrant & Refugee Office.
The three priests intend to take steps to raise awareness in their communities about the reality of modern slavery in Australia and the region before looking at parish procurement practices.
During the year, faith formation and social education opportunities will be offered to school staff, parishioners, students, and parents.
Following that, the community will be invited to consider an appropriate faith response such as ethical purchasing, as this type of purchasing behaviour doesn’t involve exploitation of labour and reduces the risk of instances of slavery.
“We are letting the light of Christ shine where it is needed,” Fr Bernard reflected.
“The first response is to get informed, and the archdiocese has been a great support by providing the data and suggesting possible actions for us to choose. It is a concrete way of putting faith into action,” (James 2: 14-17),” he highlighted.
“There are around 15,000 victims in Australia and many of those are migrant and refugee visa holders,” stated Fr Minh-Thuy, “and those with limited English cannot effectively communicate what is happening to them.”
“This project is an act of neighbour love and protective hospitality as much as anything else,” Fr Minh-Thuy noted.
Modern slavery, said Fr Nelsonm, is complex and interconnected.
“The parish can’t solve the problem, but it shouldn’t be contributing to it,” he said.
A data-informed strategy is being discussed to help eradicate the risk of slavery from the supply chains that the parish accesses. The strategy involves purchasing slavery-free tea and coffee products.
Deacon Greg Lowe, who is supporting the three parishes in the project, said the Archdiocese of Perth is eliminating risk of slavery from its procurement practices, and it is great to see parishes following suit.
“This is a significant step in the moral life of the local church,” Deacon Lowe said.
“The Eucharistic Prayer draws attention to ‘the work of human hands’. Let us do the same by ensuring they are not hands belonging to people that we are unintentionally exploiting,” he said.
If you are a parish priest and would like to join the project, contact WACMRO Office Manager, Grace Kurniawan wacmro@perthcatholic.org.au.
For more information, contact Deacon Greg Lowe on 9220 5950 or director.wacmro@perthcatholic.org.au or visit www.wacmro.perthcatholic.org.au/modernslavery/