A Cry for Life: Trafficking and Brazil

For the first time since 1950 (when Brazil lost the championship to Uruguay 2-1 at the last minute) the World Cup soccer games will be played in Brazil for 30 days starting June 12. Brazil is the only 2014 contender that has won the World Cup five times, so enthusiasm here runs high. There have been years of preparation, building or remodeling stadiums and infrastructures in 12 cities — lots of money spent,  unavailable for public health, education, public transportation, housing and social programs. Numerous public protests have occurred as a result.

For religious women and men throughout Brazil, the World Cup Games are seen as a “mega event” that will augment an already very serious violation against human dignity: human trafficking in its various forms. We know that this is highly organized crime, with national and international networks of procurers, transporters and sellers. But religious have been organizing, too.