Traditionally, the city in which a diocesan bishop lives and works is called a “see city” from the Latin sede meaning “seat.” Just as in civil government we refer to a “county seat,” so too, in church terms, the Diocese of Toledo can be referred to as the See of Toledo.

As your bishop there are many things about our diocesan “See City” that I take pride in. Toledo has a great people and a great history, and I say that without prejudice to the equally great people and history of all 19 of our diocesan counties.

However, there is one thing about Toledo, and our diocese for that matter, that is a cause for grave concern and even shame. In recent years it has been reported in the media that in the United States Toledo is estimated to be the fourth largest rea for child sex trafficking, and the third largest gateway city for child sex tourism and child sex trafficking, with the highest per capita related victim rate. It is reported that Las Vegas child sex victims come mostly from Toledo and that at least 1,800 people at any point in time in Ohio are held in trafficking bondage.

Last October, the literature from the U.S. Bishops’ Conference for Respect Life Sunday included a brochure on the problem  of human trafficking by Diane Bayly, educational and outreach coordinator for the USCCB Office of Migration and Refugee Services. She explains that human trafficking is “illegal trade in human beings for commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor.” As such, it is nothing less than slavery.

Sexual depravity in the form of prostitution, pornography and sexual entertainment has reached such proportions that human trafficking has become a lucrative business. According to Ms. Bayly, “the International Labor Organization estimates that commercial sexual exploitation netted $28 billion in illicit profits in 2005. Sex-trafficked women, girls and boys are the most profitable of slaves. Unlike commodities in the drug or arms trade, women, girls and boys can be bought, sold and resold, earning pimps and traffickers enormous revenues with little risk of being caught or prosecuted. Buyers receive few penalties, if any. In the U.S., a sex trafficker or pimp can make over $200,000 per victim annually due to the high demand for sexual ‘services.’

“The U.S. Department of State estimates that in the last 10 years 145,000 to 175,000 foreign nationals have been trafficked into the U.S. for commercial sexual exploitation or forced labor. Data suggests that at least 100,000 U.S. children are currently being exploited in the commercial sex trade in the U.S., and another 200,000 are at risk.” These may sound like remote statistics, but remember that by all accounts this ungodly business is going on right under our noses in Toledo.

Ms. Bayly says that “trafficking should not be confused with smuggling, the illegal movement of a person across a border with consent.” However, “those who are smuggled into the United States are especially vulnerable to becoming trafficked. Lured by promises of a job, an education, a better life, opportunity, freedom, or even romance, women and children come to the United States from Asia, Europe, Central America, Mexico and other regions. They never suspect that they will be forced to work in brothels, in massage parlors, or for escort services. Many describe being forced to provide sex acts for 30 men or more a day.

“To keep these women and children enslaved, traffickers may use beatings, rape, threats to family members, debt bondage and threats of deportation or imprisonment. For a variety of reasons, victims rarely identify themselves. Often they are unable to speak English. They are full of fear and shame and unfamiliar with the protective U.S. laws.

“The average age of entry into prostitution in the United States is 12 to 14. Youth running away from unstable home environments where they suffered sexual or physical abuse are lured by pimps with promises of love, security and belonging. Pimps adeptly use grooming and recruitment practices, similar to those used by child sexual predators, to create trauma bonds and keep youth enslaved.”

For a long time now the church has been involved in combating human trafficking by direct assistance, advocacy and education. From 2006 to 2009 the Department of Migration and Refugee Services of the U.S. Bishops’ Conference helped provide assistance to 1,500 foreign national survivors of human trafficking throughout the United States and its territories. Religious women and their communities, both locally and beyond, are also been very active in calling attention to this scourge and assisting victims.

Last year the bishops observed the 10th anniversary of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act passed by Congress. In December 2010 Ohio became the 45th state to make trafficking of persons a criminal offense. President Barack Obama proclaimed January 2011 as National Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Sustained efforts are being made locally by groups like Second Chance, founded in 1993 through the efforts of Dr. Celia Williamson. Many educational and advocacy groups are active.

As a bishop I also have a grave concern for the spiritual roots of this evil. Human trafficking would not be as profitable as it is without a wide market for sins of the flesh. In the past I have written about the threat of pornography. To the extent that anyone thinks that they can indulge in lewd conduct, even within the supposed privacy of the web or in other ways, without contributing to evils like human trafficking, is sorely mistaken. Lust corrupts both individuals and societies. St. Paul speaks of God giving people up to “degrading passions … a debased mind and things that should not be done” (Rom 1:26, 28), and the Apostle warns; “Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers — none of these will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Cor 6:9f)

In the face of great evils, let us do what Jesus says: “fast and pray.” Please join me in prayer and penance this Lent in reparation for these grievous sins in our own backyard and for the deliverance of both perpetrators and victims.