African Catholic Biblical Scholars Call for Collective Action Against Violence, Slavery and Human Trafficking

In brief

African Catholic biblical scholars are calling for collective action to combat violence, modern slavery, and human trafficking across Africa. Members of the Pan-African Association of Catholic Exegetes (APECA) issued this appeal following their 22nd biennial congress, which concluded on September 6 at the Jean-Paul I Centre of Kodjoboué in the Diocese of Grand-Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire.

During the week-long meeting, approximately 40 scholars examined the biblical foundations of human dignity and how that dignity is violated. The congress focused on the theme of the Bible and human dignity in relation to violence, slavery, and human trafficking. In a final statement, APECA members noted that their reflections included armed conflicts, discrimination, social exclusion, and economic oppression affecting African societies.

The scholars stated that every person possesses an inalienable dignity because they are created in the image and likeness of God. They used both the Old and New Testaments to support this conviction while addressing the realities of enslavement and trafficking that affect millions of people on the continent.