Good afternoon, Bishop & St Patrick’s community, esteemed parishioners, and friends.
First and foremost, I want to thank you all on behalf of International Justice Mission for the opportunity to speak at this special St. Bakhita Memorial Mass. It is truly an honour to stand with you today in remembrance of a woman whose story and legacy inspire us all to work toward a world of justice and freedom for the oppressed. Together, we share a deep commitment to ending slavery in our lifetime, and that is why we are here today—because we are with you in this important mission.
As we reflect on St. Josephine Bakhita’s life, we are reminded of the harsh realities of slavery. St. Bakhita was born a free woman, but her life was tragically transformed when she was kidnapped and sold into slavery multiple times. She endured unimaginable suffering, but through her faith, she eventually found freedom and became a powerful voice for those who are still enslaved today.
Read more about this year’s annual Mass for the Feast of St Josephine Bakhita
Her journey reminds us that slavery still exists in many parts of the world, and it is our responsibility to continue her work by helping those who are still trapped. Last year alone, we at International Justice Mission were able to rescue hundreds of individuals from the grip of modern slavery. Across the globe, an estimated 50 million people, including countless children, are trapped in this injustice. This global crisis touches every part of the world, and we are committed to standing in solidarity and making a real difference. Through our ongoing work in regions like Africa, we continue to see progress as we fight to free those in bondage, offering them hope for a new life rooted in dignity and faith.
This year, we are particularly excited to have the opportunity to work even more closely with Catholic parishes across Australia. As we celebrate the Jubilee Year, we see this as a time to journey together in hope—a time to come together, united by our shared vision of a world where everybody is free.
It is in this spirit of partnership and faith that we move forward, confident that together, with the God of justice leading us and the intercession of St. Bakhita, we will see the end of slavery in our region, the Asia-Pacific.
I would like to extend an invitation to all of you to learn more about the work we are doing, to engage with us in this fight, and to stay connected. Together, we can make a difference. Let us be inspired by the courage of St. Bakhita, and let her example lead us in our own work for freedom, justice, and dignity for all people.
Thank you, and may God bless you all as we continue this important journey together.
Christian Koelbach is the Director of Engagement at International Justice Mission (IJM) Australia.
To find out more about the works of IJM, please go to IJM.org.au or contact our Diocesan Peace, Justice, Ecology Team at met@parracatholic.org.
