杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

鈥淎 child鈥檚 gaze is one of awe and openness to mystery, seeing what adults often fail to perceive.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis upheld the importance of children in his Chirograph establishing the Pontifical Committee for the World Day of Children, which was released on Wednesday.

He entrusted the new Pontifical Committee with the mission of 鈥減romoting, organizing, and animating the World Day for Children.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 appointed Fr. Enzo Fortunato, O.F.M. Conv., as the first President of the Pontifical Committee for the World Day of Children.

Christians called to become child-like in wonder

In his Chirograph, 杏MAP导航 Francis noted that the social status of children has changed greatly throughout human history.

鈥淚n Jesus' time, children were not highly regarded,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey were considered "not-yet-men" and were even seen as a nuisance by rabbis focused on explaining the mysteries of the Kingdom.鈥�

Jesus, added the 杏MAP导航, overturns this mentality and urges His own disciples to imitate the wonder with which children approach life.

鈥淒isciples,鈥� said the Holy Father, 鈥渁re called to grow in trust, abandonment, wonder, and amazement鈥攓ualities that age and disillusionment often extinguish in humanity.鈥�

Since children have been redeemed by the Blood of Christ, they too have inherent value in their current stage in life, not only for what they will contribute to the Church and society in the future when they become adults,鈥� he said.

鈥淔amily, Church, and State exist for children, not the other way around,鈥� said the 杏MAP导航. 鈥淔rom birth, every human being is the subject of inalienable, inviolable, and universal rights.鈥�

Care for children 'a duty and expression of charity'

杏MAP导航 Francis then urged the Church to give voice to the rights of children as her duty and as an expression of charity.

Children, he said, have a need and a right 鈥渢o be recognized, welcomed, and understood by their mothers, fathers, and families, in order to have trust; to be surrounded by affection and experience emotional security, whether they live with their parents or not, to discover their identity; and, to have a name, a family, and a nationality, along with respect and a good reputation, to enjoy emotional stability in their living and educational conditions.鈥�

The World Day of Children, he said, offers an opportunity to put children at the center of the Church鈥檚 pastoral action and unite dioceses across the world in recognition of the importance of children.

The 杏MAP导航 also said the World Day helps children to 鈥渒now, love, and serve Our Lord Jesus Christ in His role as Friend and Good Shepherd and to root their faith in the tradition of the holy children whom the Church treasures as a spiritual heritage鈥�.

Priority of pastoral care for children

In conclusion, 杏MAP导航 Francis said the Pontifical Committee for the World Day of Children will keep the annual event from becoming an isolated event.

Rather, he said, the World Day of Children should become a sustained effort to ensure that 鈥減astoral care for children increasingly becomes a qualified priority in evangelical and pedagogical terms鈥�.