NEW YORK, NY – [Photo: GOA]
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America announced on Friday, December 29, the appointment of Rev. Protopresbyter Dr. Peter J. Spiro as Director of a new National Ministry for Human Trafficking Awareness. The Ministry, approved by the Holy Eparchial Synod, is titled FREEDOM (Faith-based Resolve to Eradicate Enslavement: Didactic Outreach Ministry). Also in the meeting was the Chancellor of the Archdiocese V. Rev. Fr. Nektarios Papazafiropoulos.
FREEDOM will serve to educate and bring national awareness to Greek Orthodox faithful on the issue of Human Trafficking which is defined as the force, fraud, or coercion of an individual for sexual or labor exploitation, functioning as modern-day slavery. It is estimated that over 50 million people worldwide are currently being trafficked. This important ministry will provide resources and in-person training specifically tailored for ministries and organizations of the Archdiocese including Clergy, youth groups and lay leaders. By educating, bringing awareness, and offering resources to our faithful, we can prevent, protect, and provide for those in our communities that are vulnerable and/or affected.
Fr. Spiro, a member of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Patriarchal Task Force on Modern Slavery, is currently the Chief Chaplain of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and Director of the TBI PROTECT Program and will remain in that position. Father is also the Director of the ARISTEVI Foundation that offers educational and vocational support to Human Trafficking survivors.
The Holy Eparchial Synod has also designated Fr. Spiro’s chapel space where he services TBI personnel, and trafficked survivors as the “Shrine for Human Freedom”. The chapel, located in Tennessee, will be the national center for the ministry and a hub for Human Trafficking Awareness resources and survivor support.
“I greatly appreciate and admire Fr. Spiro’s dedication to dismantling human trafficking. I look forward to the work of the FREEDOM ministry in educating and raising awareness of this issue amongst our faithful to foster a world where every individual is free from exploitation” said Archbishop Elpidophoros of the ministry.
If you have questions, or would like to schedule a training for your parish or church organization, please contact Fr. Spiro at [email protected]
