AMERICA/ARGENTINA - “Children are the central focus and the first addressees of our evangelising mission”, says Bishop José Luis Mollaghan, Bishop of San Miguel.

San Miguel (Fides Service) - In line with the call launched by John Paul II to put at the centre of Lenten reflection this year the tragic conditions of many children in the world, Bishop José Luis Mollaghan, Bishop of the diocese of San Miguel, suffragan of the archdiocese of Buenos Aires (Argentina), in his Message for Lent 2004 says that “Children are the central focus and the first addressees of our evangelising mission ”, and he went on to say: “it is fundamental that children from a very early age find in their families and in the parish a school of faith where, through example, catechesis and prayer they come to know and love God ”.
Bishop Mollaghan, encouraged his people to contribute generously to initiatives promoted by Caritas and other institutions working for children, especially the most abandoned and he said: “concern for unborn children, weak and helpless, must be followed by concern and concrete help to enable children to live a life in keeping with their dignity”.
Recalling with admiration and gratitude those working to assist children who suffer because of violence, hunger, insecurity, forced emigration, break up of families and the many existential injustices of our day, the Bishop concludes with an invitation: “we too must see how children are treated in families, districts, parish communities, trying to see where improvement and correction are necessary and to always work for the common good ”. (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 16/3/2004; righe 19 - parole 260)