Church leaders are calling for their congregations to back The Royal Gazette's drive to free 12 million modern day slaves.

The Reverend Malcolm Eve, the presiding elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, (AME) said our Break The Chains campaign has helped bring to light the horrific consequences of man's inhumanity to man.

Rev. Eve said the AME Church, formed in the 1700s, acted as a catalyst for freedom many years ago — and is continuing to fight against slavery and its after-effects today.

Meanwhile, Roman Catholic Bishop Robert Kurtz said he would bring our campaign to the attention of key diocese figures and discuss how the church could support it.

Break The Chains has been highlighting how, almost 200 years after the slave trade was abolished in Britain and its territories, slavery still exists in forms including human trafficking, child labour, forced labour and bonded labour.

Rev. Eve and Bishop Kurtz both said they would encourage church-goers to back Anti-Slavery International's on-line petition demanding action from world leaders to stamp all forms of slavery.

All you have to do to add your own name to the list is log onto the internet and follow a few simple instructions on your computer screen.

Rev. Eve said: "The issue of slavery, which The Royal Gazette's Break The Chains campaign addresses, strikes a deep chord with our people.

"We are very acquainted with the condition and the consequences of this one example of man's inhumanity to man.

"The AME Church began during slavery and served as a catalyst for freedom.

"Today, the church is actively involved with the issue on the African continent while striving to overcome its after-effects on this side of the Atlantic.

"Therefore we have strong sympathy for people who are now suffering what we once suffered.

"We relive the trauma when we listen to their experiences.

"We recall the enormous social and political effort required to achieve liberation. And we know all too well that the struggle for freedom does not end with the breaking of chains."

Rev. Eve said he hoped the on-line petition would make a difference.

"As the presiding elder of the AME Church, I applaud the Gazette's campaign to bring the topic to light," he added.

"What horrible consequences we are forced to face when our creator's plan and purpose for human beings is ignored.

"I will add my voice to this worldwide appeal for the end of slavery.

"I will also pray for true justice and equality in our society, as well as overseas.

"I also look forward to the day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes to bring peace to our conflicted planet."

Bishop Kurtz said: "I have seen Break The Chains and it's a noble effort.

"I will be taking it to our next priests' council to discuss what we can do to support it.

"Many people don't realise how much slavery there still is today because it doesn't often get reported. I'm still trying to get a better picture myself."

Break The Chains has previously won support from community leaders and a string of charities and personalities across Bermuda.

The petition was launched by Anti-Slavery International in the run-up to the official bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade in Britain and its territories in March 1807, later followed by the abolition of slavery itself.

Two centuries ago, tens of thousands of people signed petitions as part of the campaign to abolish the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

The outcry they generated led to the Slave Trade Act, which made capturing, transporting and selling slaves illegal in Britain and its colonies.

Campaigners at Anti-Slavery International hope enough people will sign their petition to recreate a similar level of momentum.

The petition demands Governments prioritise action to eradicate all modern forms of slavery, calls for a greater understanding of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its impact, and insists action is taken to redress its legacies from countries that profited.

To sign up, visit www.antislavery.org/2007/actionsign and fill in your details. To comment about Break The Chains, email tsmith[AT]royalgazette.bm or telephone 278-0153.