TOLEDO—With the support of Bishop Leonard P. Blair, communities of women religious of the Diocese of Toledo are taking a corporate stance against human trafficking.

The Sisters of Notre Dame, Tiffin Franciscan Sisters, Sylvania Franciscan Sisters and the Ursuline Sisters will proclaim the stance publicly at a 2 p.m. prayer service Aug. 17 at Toledo St. Martin de Porres.

Human trafficking is the buying and selling of persons for labor and/or sex. Human trafficking is modern-day slavery and is now considered the third-largest and fastest growing criminal industry in the world. Women and children are the key target group for traffickers because of their marginalization and limited economic resources.

The ecumenical service will have participants from many area faith traditions including Ursuline Sister Christine Pratt, Catholic Charities director of parish ministries and social concerns; the Rev. Kelley O’Connell of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church; Wendy Goldstein, Jewish Community Relations Council director of the United Jewish Council of Greater Toledo; and Janet Wolfbauer representing the Hindu Temple of Toledo.

The public is invited to attend. For further information about the service please contact Ursuline Sister Sandy Sherman at 419-536-9587.