Reverend Larry Silva, Bishop | Diocese of Honolulu

Pope Francis has called on Christians to protect vulnerable children, particularly those in regions such as Gaza, Sudan, and migrant or refugee camps worldwide. In his message for the Jubilee Year 2025, he highlighted the issue of child labor and its connection to human trafficking. The Catholic Church observes February 8th as the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking, honoring St. Josephine Bakhita, a survivor of child labor trafficking.

Bakhita's story is one of resilience; kidnapped at seven in Sudan and sold into slavery multiple times before being freed in Italy with the help of the Canossian Sisters. She later became a nun serving children and was canonized in 2000 as the patron saint of human trafficking victims. Her legacy continues through Talitha Kum, a global network fighting human trafficking by providing care to survivors and at-risk children.

In Hawaii, the Sisters of St. Francis carry on this legacy by working with vulnerable communities through hospitals and schools across several islands. Following the 2022 Maui wildfires that destroyed Lahaina’s Sacred Hearts School, support from local and international communities helped ensure continued education for affected children. The St. Augustine Education Foundation plays a crucial role by offering tuition assistance to families in need.

For more information or to support these efforts during this Jubilee year, visit Talitha Kum's website or the St. Augustine Education Foundation's site.