Sister Imelda Poole awarded MBE

Sister Imelda Poole IBVM MBE

Source: British Embassy Holy See

On Saturday 9 June 2018, Sister Imelda Poole, IBVM was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in The Queen's Birthday Honours 2018, for her achievements and services to end modern slavery.

On the announcement of the award, the British Ambassador to the Holy See, Sally Axworthy, said: "I am delighted to learn that Sr Imelda Poole has been awarded this honour by Her Majesty The Queen. It is well-deserved recognition of Sr Imelda's outstanding service in combatting human trafficking and modern slavery, through the European religious sisters' anti-trafficking network RENATE which she leads, and through and Talitha Kum, the religious sisters' worldwide anti-trafficking network.

"Sister Imelda is a key ally in Her Majesty's Government's campaign to eradicate modern slavery. It is wonderful to see such a distinguished friend of this Embassy honoured in this way."

On learning of her award Sister Imelda Poole said: " This is an honour which I accept on behalf of the Female Religious and co workers who are contributing, through the mission of many international networks such as RENATE, to combating modern day slavery and on behalf of the dedicated staff of Mary Ward Loreto in Albania who are passionate in this same cause. May this award expose even further the terrible crime of human trafficking which, as Pope Francis has declared, is a crime against humanity itself."

Read more about Sr Imelda Poole in the case study written by HM Ambassador Sally Axworthy: www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/fighting-modern-slavery to mark 2017 International Women's Day.

follow @SallyAxworthy @UKinHolySee

Read more about RENATE on website: www.renate-europe.net and FaceBook page: www.facebook.com/renateurope