| In Memory of Them |
 A highlight of my week was the opportunity to gather
with about 45 women in the Ursuline Community of Ashbury. This evening was a gathering to remember
women throughout the world who are enslaved: those women who are trafficked, who
work in factories for unjust wages; for women who are exploited in any way and
for all women who are longing for more than life is offering at the moment.
For the past 6 years women having been gathering at The Piazza to pray, to reflect and to learn from the wisdom of each other. Leone Pallisier OSU and her community have provided these opportunities for women to come together to explore issues and scripture while sharing a meal. On Wednesday night we were invited to reflect on the actions of Jesus in John 8:1-11. The women at my table discussed the different response Jesus offers in this gospel. In offering an alternative response Jesus invites us to change our thinking. This action makes us reflect on what we’re doing before change can occur. The evening also allowed those gathered to learn more about the issue of human trafficking. Human trafficking that is not foreign to Australia! Human trafficking “involves the recruitment of people into exploitative labour, where they are transported to another country to carry out unpaid or under-paid work for the profit of those detaining them” (Social Justice Committee of CLRI (NSW) Just In Time. August 2008, Vol.2. No.3.). Leone highlighted the issue of trafficking through The Jammed (by Dee McLachlan), a documentary film, based on court reports of trafficking of women in Australia. It was also noted that an article appeared in The Australian (29/08/2008) stating that “The High Court has upheld the conviction of a Melbourne madam who has become the first person in Australia found guilty of sexual slavery, in a landmark judgment that defines the conditions of modern-day slavery.” Of course, it needs to be acknowledged that while there is the demand for sex industry workers and exploitative, cheap labour for many industries, trafficking will continue. We can ALL help to fight trafficking by not contributing to this demand. “By buying Fair Trade certified products you can guarantee that you are not perpetuating labour exploitation” (Social Justice Committee of CLRI (NSW) Just In Time. August 2008, Vol.2. No.3.). In addition to this take time to educate others about this issue and recognize that it is not something that is just happening in other countries but it is a real issue for Australia. I am most grateful to the women at this gathering who made me so welcome and who provided such wonderful hospitality. The stimulating conversation, thought provoking issues and reflective prayer made for a wonderful gathering. It is easy to see why these women have been gathering four times a year for the past six years! |
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