“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”.
We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.

These words, written by the late Rev Martin Luther King Junior, while incarcerated in Birmingham Jail in 1963, are powerful and provocative. A lengthy letter which was addressed to his clergy colleagues in response to their discomfort and indeed, at times, strident criticism of his campaigning to end all forms of racial discrimination that wrought such harm on so many women, men and children. 

In his letter he reminded the clergy that the early church took extreme risks in steadfastly following in the footsteps of Christ, with those in power often seeking to convict them as being "disturbers of the peace" and "outside agitators." A far cry, he went on to say, from the contemporary churches whose voices were more often than not switched to silent mode in the face of injustice, and whose feet and hands remained hesitant to act. 

57 years on, Rev. King’s words are equally as relevant. Now more than ever, amidst the turbulence and uncertainty of the world we live in, we as faith communities and individuals are being called to step up and commit to working on the front line, beginning now.

July 30th is the United Nations Global Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Throughout the world people trafficking and labour exploitation is increasing with no country left untouched. Such abuse happens within communities, and it occurs in cities and rural areas too. In fact in all places where such criminal activity is occurring there will be a church nearby. It is now recognised the vital role church congregations have to play in raising concerns over possible cases of exploitation and trafficking.  

At a meeting last year the former UK Anti Slavery commissioner, Kevin Hyland, made the comment that “Churches have a key role in the fight against modern slavery, providing they know what that role is.” 

The Diocese of Wellington agrees and last year stepped up to the challenge of facilitating and chairing the newly formed Modern Slavery and Labour Exploitation Advisory Group.  Now we are inviting our many church congregations to join us.  The Advisory group’s first newsletter is being released to highlight the UN Global Day, and we invite you to read it here, and then pass it on to as many people, groups, and organisations as you can. 

Such exploitation is often hidden in plain view, and the first step to understanding such abuse is to become far more aware of what is happening.  In the coming months we will be raising specific issues as well as updates so that our Diocese is kept well informed. As chair of the advisory group, you are always welcome to contact me with any questions or comments you may have.

Rev. Chris Frazer, Deacon for Social Justice