The Office for Human Life of the Cleveland Diocese has embarked on a new campaign to help people understand how its services stretch beyond pro-life activities and are now designed to help people along the full continuum of life.
“We are at the beginning stages of a new direction to promote ministries that encompass all facets of human life from conception to natural death,” said Mary von Carlowitz, director of the Office for Human Life.
“This office is expanding and encompassing under its aegis things such as helping people with disabilities and special needs, along with addressing human trafficking, end of life issues and euthanasia,” continued Mary. “It is our baptismal call as Catholics and Christians to preserve human dignity and help those most in need along their journey of life.”
One focus area that is gaining strong momentum is human trafficking. Mary says her office is in the process of starting a task force that will include several local experts and advocates. Mary also plans to work with the Harriet Tubman Movement, a faith-based advocacy group dedicated to helping victims of human trafficking on the road to freedom. Laura Bartchak, the organization’s co-founder and executive director, said, “Since 2016, we have helped over 300 individuals and we're not even scratching the surface. Human trafficking is a huge problem in Northeast Ohio.” She recently gave a riveting presentation at the First Friday Club of Cleveland and stressed the need for a community approach to address the crime.
The event organizers say a few attendees have since come forth inquiring about how to help the Harriet Tubman Movement and how to build awareness regarding the fight against human trafficking. Mary says she sees the Holy Spirit at work, bringing people of faith together at the right time and in the right places.
“You can see the Holy Spirit in action. Now we have people who want to learn about volunteering and who want to help spread the word about this issue. Their interests have been piqued and their knowledge has grown greatly to confront the monster, the beast of human trafficking,” remarked Mary.
The upcoming issue of Northeast Ohio Catholic magazine, due out in early September, will feature the story of a local parishioner who used his faith to overcome a harrowing experience of abuse in childhood and is now an advocate for survivors of human trafficking.