AMERICA/COSTA RICA - The Church denounces violation of children's rights, especially among indigenous and migrants

San Jose (Agenzia Fides) – On the celebration of the Day of the Child, taking place today, September 9, the President of the Costa Rican Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Hugo Barrantes, lamented the situation of poverty and marginalization that is affecting the nation's children, especially those from indigenous and migrant families. “Unfortunately, we are still seeing a situation that negatively effects the lives of our little ones,” the Archbishop said in a statement sent to Fides, denouncing the drama that is suffered daily by the indigenous and those of African descent and recalling their scarce access to education, health, and other services in comparison to the development seen in Costa Rica. “We want to once again call to mind that the inhumane misery in which many of our families struggle to live, continues to be the main cause of violation of children's and adolescent's rights in our country,” he added. The President of the Bishops' Conference hopes that the nation may commit itself to the equal development of a nation where economic growth is compatible with social justice. The Archbishop also insisted on the opportunity of creating a Ministry of the Family to work in its promotion. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 9/9/2009)