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Queenswood, Pretoria — On 24th August 2024, delegates from parishes across the Archdiocese of Pretoria gathered for the Caritas Annual General Meeting at Christ the King Parish, Queenswood. This important event reinforced Caritas Pretoria’s role as the central charitable organisation within the Archdiocese, reaffirming its commitment to serve the most vulnerable, regardless of race or religion.

Caritas Pretoria, affiliated with Caritas South Africa and Caritas International, operates across parish, deanery, and diocesan levels. It functions as the umbrella body for Catholic charities, sodalities, and organisations, offering relief to those affected by natural disasters, conflicts, and poverty. Archbishop Dabula Mpako, in his keynote address, urged the faithful to perceive Caritas not as a sodality but as a mission for the entire parish, akin to the commissions of Liturgy, Justice & Peace, and Catechesis.

“Caritas must be the work of the whole parish,” the Archbishop stated, calling for active involvement from all parishioners. This vision aims to unite the Church community in bringing Christ’s compassion to those in distress.

The meeting also featured presentations on critical social issues. Sr Franka and Sr Marta delivered updates on the pastoral care of migrants and refugees, highlighting their ongoing work in supporting displaced communities. Fr Rampeoane Hlobo SJ gave a poignant presentation on human trafficking, describing it as one of the most horrific forms of modern-day slavery, affecting millions worldwide.

Fr Hlobo cited disturbing statistics from the 2020 UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, revealing that one in three detected victims is a child. In low-income countries, this figure rises to 50%, with many children trafficked for forced labour. In wealthier nations, children are trafficked for sexual exploitation, forced criminality, and begging.

Human trafficking, Fr Hlobo pointed out, is the second-largest criminal industry globally, with an estimated $154 billion trade in human beings. Victims are often lured through false promises of work, education, or a better life, only to be subjected to exploitation ranging from domestic servitude and sexual exploitation to forced labour in agriculture and mines.

In South Africa, the trafficking of women and children is exacerbated by harmful traditional practices such as ukuthwala, which can lead to the forced marriage of young girls, particularly in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. While South Africa has enacted strong legislation like the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act 2013, Fr Hlobo stressed that its implementation remains weak due to challenges such as corruption, inadequate training for officials, and poor inter-departmental communication.

Fr Hlobo called for stronger collaboration among parishes, schools, and communities to raise awareness of human trafficking. He urged the Church to become a place of refuge for victims, offering not only spiritual but also material support. “Our churches must be sanctuaries of hope for those escaping the clutches of traffickers,” Fr Hlobo concluded, reminding attendees of the Church’s duty to stand as a beacon of hope for the oppressed.

The AGM concluded with the announcement of the newly appointed members of the Caritas Commission for the Archdiocese of Pretoria. These members will guide Caritas Pretoria’s efforts in responding to the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth, grounded in Gospel values and Catholic Social Teachings.

The new Caritas Commission members are:

Manyene Mahuma (St Joseph the Worker, Pretoria West)

Dr Abigail Pachena (St Augustine, Silverton)

Rosschel Wilson (Christ the King, Queenswood)

Tebogo Petja (Holy Redeemer, Mmakau)

Patricia Nonhlanhla Ngomane (St Martin De Porres, Sunnyside)

Lucy Thobejane (Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Pretoria West)

Deacon Anthony Gumede (St John the Baptist, Pretoria North)

Sr Millicent (Nazareth House)

Deacon Gregory Mogale (Soshanguve South Pastoral)

Fr Daniel Kiviw’a (Caritas Office)

Sr Marta Vargas (Caritas Office)

Sr Aleghakeze Ghazeng (Caritas Office)

Sr Franka Dzeaye (Caritas Office)

As the Church responds to Archbishop Mpako’s call for wider parish engagement, the new Caritas Commission is set to lead the Archdiocese in fostering solidarity and service, ensuring that the poor, the displaced, and those impacted by injustice continue to find relief and hope through the Church’s compassionate outreach.