Interview: John Paul II on Human Trafficking

Each week, I will be bringing you a new interview with a formerly-active activist or abolitionist, that is, someone now deceased.  I'll be talking to the men and women who paved the way for the abolitionists of today and getting their thoughts on the problems and solutions of modern-day slavery.  How do I contact not just the dead, but the famous and dead?  Every good blogger must have her secrets!

This week... John Paul II

How's the afterlife treating you?

It's just what I expected.

For those non-biography readers out there, how about you tell me a little about yourself.

I was the leader of the Catholic Church from 1978 until my death in 2005.  During my reign, I became famous for working for religious freedom for all people under repressive regimes, preaching love and understanding and addressing the Church's lack of action during the holocaust.  I was also the first Polish Pope and became a symbol of the increasing internationalism of religion.

What do you think is the biggest problem in the modern-day abolitionist movement?

There should be more unity among people of all faiths to address this universal evil.  Slavery, abuse and exploitation are not sanctioned by any major religion and should not be tolerated by any government or culture.  People of faith need to see there is more which unites us on this issue than divides us.

If you were alive, what would you do to fight slavery?

I would pray for those in slavery, but also for the traffickers that they might turn away from the evil they are doing and return to God.  I would invite all the people of the world, of all religions, to pray with me.

Any last thoughts for our readers?

The best part about heaven is that I don't have to wear that hat anymore.  It weighed a ton!