Editorial: Suffer the children

The
Catholic Weekly
Online

Sydney
8 February 2004

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Editorial: Suffer the children

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Editorial: Suffer the children

IT IS quite evident that Pope John Paul II has a great affinity with young people. Photos show the care and affection he has for children.

He is seen to lift both physically and emotionally in the presence of young folk. They sustain him; they encourage him; they obviously give him hope for the future of the Church.

It is significant then that the Pope has chosen children as the subject of this year’s theme for Lent.

The Pontiff’s love and concern for the young reflects that of Christ himself: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

As the Pope’s Lenten message shows, the Gospels have many references to children as being beloved of God. And, as the scripture passage chosen for the theme promises, “whoever receives one such child in my name receives me”.

It is such a tragedy then that in 2004 so many children, both in our own nation and overseas, are suffering in so many ways.

The Pope reminds us that they are victims “of war and violence, inadequate food and water, forced

immigrations and the many forms of injustice present in the world”.

He asks us to reflect on those who have been hurt by sexual abuse, forced prostitution, involvement in the sale of drugs, forced labour and combat and those, too, scarred by the breakup of marriages.

Society as a whole has come a long way with the treatment of children in the past 100 years or so. In First World countries we no longer send them down coal mines or, for that matter, beat them with canes and straps in the classroom.

But, as the Pope points out, current day indifference to the plight of many children, their exploitation and victimisation should give us pause for thought and prayer.

Lent is the ideal time for such reflection on them, “the future of humanity”.