Three Christian families in Pakistan have been freed from modern-day slavery, thanks to one Argentine missionary priest and a young layman who paid for their release. 

Father Rico, a priest with the Order of St. Elias in Argentina, and a layperson named Diego traveled to Pakistan “with the sole purpose of freeing Christian slaves.” They have freed 110 Christians so far this year. Last year, they freed 200 people. 

Father Rico calls this initiative PaX, meaning both “peace” and “Pakistan Christendom.” His mission is to rescue Christians living in bondage. 

“Thanks to our supporters and their prayers, we were able to rescue 11 people — three families — from servitude,” the priest told Catholic News Agency (CNA). “These people were born into slavery. They had never known freedom. They were not allowed to attend Christian services nor receive sacraments. On the very day of being released from bondage, I was able to give them the sacraments, including baptism. It was a day of dual liberation!” 

In predominantly Muslim Pakistan, religious minorities are made into modern slaves. Held by familial debt bondage, they are sent to work in brick kilns, live in extreme poverty, and face physical and sexual abuse. 

“Christians suffer from slavery and constant oppression, and their situation is terrible,” Father Rico explained in an interview. “The Christian is considered ‘chura,’ which in the local language means ‘sweeper.’ For us, it does not have a negative connotation, but there it is equivalent to saying ‘excrement.’” 

Once the Christians are rescued, they are placed in safe communities to rehabilitate. 

“After a life of eating garbage, being treated like garbage, and suffering constant violence, some of them don’t know what it’s like to be human,” Father Rico said. “That’s why we have to get them to where they can live in peace, practice Christianity, and raise their children. There, they can teach them that there is a future and that the only thing that they must seek is God and his kingdom.” 

Story by Bella Agnello 

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