By Rosemary Lewallen
St. Irenaeus Catholic Church held a powerful solidarity walk and prayer vigil on Feb. 3rd, to honor victims and survivors of human trafficking.
Church officials said about 57 people attended this prayerful and informative community event hosted by St. Irenaeus Health Ministry’s Bridge of Light: Human Trafficking to Human Triumph Ministry. Attendees also included Cypress Mayor Pro Tem Kyle Chang and Cypress Chief of Police Mark Lauderback.
Disturbing statistics about human trafficking were revealed. Eye-catching easels displayed human trafficking as the 2nd largest and fastest-growing crime in the U.S. An estimated $236 billion annually of revenue is generated from human trafficking worldwide. Sextortion of teens increased by149%.
The average age at which a youth is trafficked in Orange County is 14, and the number of minor victims increased from 36% to 50%. Kids who age out of the foster care program are particularly vulnerable: 60% of foster youth become homeless as soon as they age out of foster care and are at risk for human trafficking; 20% live on the street or in a shelter. Between 60 to 70% of human trafficking victims were formerly in the child welfare system. California allows marriage for those under age 18. Child marriage is currently legal in California.
Emcee Dawn Gallagher equated human trafficking with modern-day slavery. She told us about St. Josephine Bakhita, whose feast day is February 8th. Josephine was sold into slavery as a child. Her resilience and great faith in God saved her. St. Bakhita shows us that our identity is not dependent upon our past, but on our relationship with God.
St. Ireneaus Church’s Bridge of Light continues to focus on victims of human trafficking as the issue comes into larger focus around the world.
Betty Borowski gave information about the Presentation Sisters who served St. Irenaeus parish from 1963 – 2025. Their foundress, the Venerable Nano Nagel, is a fine example of someone who worked tirelessly to prevent the exploitation of others. Nagle was a “Beacon of Light” for the oppressed, particularly women.
Our beloved mentor, Sr. Rita, a Presentation Sister and our Health Ministry Director, realized the danger of human trafficking and encouraged us to start the Bridge of Light: a Human Trafficking to Human Triumph Ministry was organized in 2017 so that the group can advocate for the end of human trafficking here in Orange County and all over the world.
The music provided a prayerful environment. Singer, Belinda Gonzalez, led a meditative Taize chant, accompanied on the piano by Anthony Kocal, St. Irenaeus Music Director. Rick Tkach said that we need to increase community awareness of all forms of human trafficking, such as forced labor, child marriage, and sexual exploitation. We can be a light in the darkness, the officials said.
Fr. Mark Cruz shared a gospel reading with a take-home message for everyone to love as Christ loved, and treat the vulnerable with compassion and respect the dignity of each person.
The film, “No Escape Room,” was shown. It portrays how easily anyone can become a victim of online sextortion. One in five teens makes the mistake of sending nude photos online to a new “friend,” and is financially exploited as a result. The stress and anxiety of these kids is severe. Teens are advised to reach out to an adult for help. They need to know it’s not their fault.
Deacon Israel Rodriguez led a candlelit procession and prayers with speakers at four prayer stations: the first station focused on the “Kids Online Safety Act;” the second talked about the importance of “Ending Child Marriage Under 18—No Exceptions;” the third gave information about “Child Labor Trafficking;” and the fourth gave an example of a survivor’s story, “Something Positive – Surviving to Thriving.” Prayer leaders and speakers included Carol Reed, Betty Borowski, Donna Kriesel, Rachel Corbilla, JoAnn Pyne, Joe Tucciarone, David Dunn, and Faith Community Nurse, Jennifer Dagarag.
Cypress Mayor Pro Tem Kyle Chang and the Cypress Police Chief, Mark Lauderback, gave brief speeches near the end of the evening. Kyle Chang noted that human trafficking, as well as homelessness, is reflective of the large gap between the rich and the poor. He looks forward to the time when human trafficking is eradicated.
Police Chief Lauderback noted progress locally in fighting human trafficking. More people are reporting cases of possible human trafficking to the police. He recommended, “When you see something, say something.” He considers trafficked individuals as victims, not suspects.
The calls to action agreed on by the group included: sign the petition to the Cypress City Council, “Ending Child Marriage Under 18—No Exceptions”; call 911 if someone is in immediate danger; call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 800-373-7888 if you suspect human trafficking; and join St. Irenaeus’ Care Portal Response Team to help stabilize families and reduce the risk of human trafficking. For more information, contact Monica Kovach, Chair of Bridge of Light: Human Trafficking to Human Triumph Ministry at 310-490-6113.