VATICAN - The annual Message to Muslim for the 'Id al-Fitr feast at the end of the month of Ramadan Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue focuses on the need to love and protect every child because “Children, [are a] Gift of God for the Future of Humanity”

Friday, 5 November 2004

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Children, Gift of God for the Future of Humanity is the title of this year’s annual message which Archbishop Michael L. Fitzgerald, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue has addressed to Muslims in view of the 'Id al-Fitr feast at the end of the month of Ramadan, (‘Id al-Fitr, 1425 A.H. / 2004 A.D.). The message underlines that parents and society should welcome children and give them all the attention they deserve as they develop and grow. “Every child has an inalienable right to life and, in so far as this is possible, to be welcomed within a natural, stable family. All children have moreover the right to nourishment, clothing and protection, and furthermore to be educated so that there may develop in them, and that later they may develop in themselves, all their capacities. In this perspective the child, when sick or victim of an accident, has the right to receive all necessary care. The life of the child, just as the life of every human person, is sacred.”
Recalling that Muslims “consider the child to be a blessing from God, in particular for the parents”, the Archbishop writes: “As Christians we share with you this religious attitude, but our Christian faith teaches us also to discover in the child a model for our relationship with God. Jesus has given us as an example the child's simplicity and trust, docility and liveliness, showing us in this way how we should live in trusting submission to God..”
He points out that in recent years representatives of the Holy See and of countries with a Muslim majority have defended together in international fora fundamental human values, notably the family as the natural environment in which children are nurtured and their rights are better preserved, but adds: “Although the child has benefited, at least in certain parts of the world and in certain areas of life, from progress in respect for human rights, there are still many evils which cause suffering” and too many children are forced to engage in heavy work, are conscripted or involved in wars and conflicts, or suffer sexual abuse. “Above all children are victims of certain changes in society. When families break up it is the children who are the first to suffer. The increase in the use of drugs and in drug trafficking, especially in poor countries, often involves children, to their great harm. Again, the despicable trafficking in organs concerns children in a particular way, and the tragedy of AIDS often means that they are infected from birth” the Archbishop writes.
The message closes with an appeal: “Faced with these evils that affect our children, dear friends, we should unite our efforts, reminding people of the dignity of every human being whose existence is willed by God Himself. We should denounce untiringly everything that degrades the child, combating with all the force we can muster the "structures of sin", to use an expression taken up by Pope John Paul II. We are conscious that on the future of children depends the future of humanity. I hope therefore that our common endeavours in favour of children will continue and may in fact increase. In this way we shall give further proof of the benefit that can come from religion for the whole human community.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 5/11/2004 - Righe 35; Parole 520)


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