The Santa Marta Group, the anti-trafficking and anti-slavery initiative set up with the encouragement of Pope Francis and led by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, has closed down due to financial challenges.
Santa Marta, which was founded in 2014, became a registered charity in 2021 and sought “financial independence” for its international mission, according to a statement on its website.
“Despite determined efforts, this proved more challenging than envisaged, particularly in sustaining the crucial work of global partnerships.”
Having considered the circumstances, the trustees decided that the group could not continue as a stand-alone charity.
The statement continues: “This is an undeniably sad development, but it also allows us to honour and give thanks for the lasting contribution the Charity has made to combatting human trafficking and modern-day slavery.”
Those involved are still seeking ways that the group’s work can continue, such as handing over the diocesan and parish work to the Catholic Social Action Network. A new framework is also being sought that would permit an ongoing international contribution.
“In gratitude, we wish to thank every person who has shared in the mission and service of the Santa Marta Group over these past eleven years. Together, we have built awareness, challenged indifference and fostered new forms of cooperation in the fight against the evil of human trafficking. These efforts have opened the way for others to act, and their fruits will continue. As we close one chapter, it is our prayer and hope that this work will continue in new forms, and that the inspiration of Pope Francis and the legacy of Santa Marta will endure,” the group says in its statement.
A statement on the website of the Bishops’s Conference of England and Wales says of the group: “The Santa Marta Group was an alliance of international police chiefs and bishops from around the world working together with civil society to eradicate human trafficking and modern day slavery.”
The group was regarded as an important legacy of Cardinal Nichols during his time as Archbishop of Westminster. The late Pope Francis supported the group and said to the cardinal: “Keep this work going.”
Its focus was not so much to provide direct frontline services, but rather to serve as a catalyst for new partnerships and initiatives.
Csan says on their website that although the group will not continue as a stand-alone charity beyond this month, a new framework will be sought for the group’s ongoing international contribution.
Recognising the international operation of traffickers, the group identified a need for international co-operation, and worked to catalyse collaboration between the Catholic church, governments and law enforcement, says Csan.
Santa Marta also worked with businesses and governments to identify where businesses were profiting from trafficking, and build a consensus for “no tainted money”, aiming to cut off profit as a driver of trafficking.
“All of us at Caritas Social Action Network would like to thank the Santa Marta Group for their inspiring work and Cardinal Vincent Nichols for his leadership and tireless commitment to raising awareness of trafficking and modern slavery.”
Over the next three years, thanks to funding from the Gubay Foundation, Csan will be building on some of the Santa Marta Group’s work across England and Wales, “with the aim of nurturing the growing movement against extreme exploitation and modern slavery both at the community level and nationally”, says Csan.
This will involve collaborating with experts including Medaille Trust, SJOG, Caritas Westminster’s Bakhita House, JRS UK and a number of diocesan Caritas agencies.