Last week, Anglican leaders and delegates met in the Diocese of Durgapur, northern India, for a conference focused on tackling human trafficking and modern slavery. The event was organised by the diocese in partnership with the missionary organisation United Society Partners in the Gospel (USPG).
The Diocese of Durgapur has been recognised for its long-standing anti-trafficking work, carried out in collaboration with USPG.
Globally, nearly 50 million people are estimated to live in conditions of modern slavery, with around 11 million in India alone, making the country the world’s slavery capital. Forced labour generates criminal profits of approximately £185 billion each year worldwide.
The Rev Canon Dr Peniel Rajkumar, Global Theologian and Director of Global Mission at USPG, emphasised the Church’s responsibility to act. “These are not distant statistics: they are real people, created in God’s image, with inherent dignity and value,” he said. “As Christians, we are called to respond: to ‘let the oppressed go free’ (Isaiah 58:6), to ‘seek justice, rescue the oppressed’ (Isaiah 1:17), and to proclaim ‘freedom for the captives’ (Luke 4:18).”
Around 50 participants from across the Anglican Communion, representing different countries and professions, attended the conference. Delegates also visited Durgapur’s anti-trafficking programme to meet staff and learn more about efforts to combat modern slavery.
The Rt Rev Sameer Isaac Khimla, Bishop of Durgapur, described human trafficking as “one of the darkest realities of our time, affecting millions, stripping individuals of their identity, freedom and hope. As a Church and as a community rooted in faith and compassion, we cannot stand by in silence.”
Adapted from Christian Today UK.
