The Archdiocese of Liverpool recently hosted a training day for priests, deacons, and religious brothers and sisters, in partnership with Santa Marta Group, called Love the Stranger.

Key speakers included Kevin Hyland of the Santa Marta group, archdiocesan social action coordinator Pablo Guidi, and Dcn Kevin Duffy of the Archdiocese of Liverpool.

The day began with a session looking at Asylum and Refugee issues, led by Dcn Kevin. In the afternoon, Kevin Hyland gave a presentation on his work with the Santa Marta group, which consists of police chiefs and bishops from around the world. The group, which is endorsed by Pope Francis, aims to eradicate human trafficking and modern slavery.

This included some examples closer to home, emphasising thepoint that human trafficking and modern slavery are closer to us than we think.

Reacting after the event, Pablo Guidi said: “I am very excited about the partnership that we have seen today between the Santa Marta and the Archdiocese of Liverpool.

“There are over 40 million people, mainly women and children, trafficked and kept in slavery – and parishes can work together to help combat this, even if it is in a small way.”    

Meanwhile, Kevin Hyland added: “I think what I saw today was something we're seeing the reality of in our church and the wider world, and it does bring in action.

Whilst we may be just at the beginning of a process, I’m confident the process is going to continue. What I saw today was very real.”