African bishops call for the
protection of minors
 |
| Children playing in Capr Town, South Africa |
A message issued by the Catholic Bishops of Uganda appeals
for the protection of minors against trafficking, labour exploitation and the
use of child soldiers.
By Linda Bordoni
Heineous crimes like child trafficking, child labour and the
use of child soldiers continue to be perpetrated in many parts of the world,
despite laws that condemn them.
That’s why, said Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa,
we are called to eradicate the causes of these deplorable tragedies and ensure
that children are protected in all areas.
The Archbishop of Blantayre, Malawi, was addressing
participants at the Plenary Assembly of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences
of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) as it drew to a close in Uganda over
the weekend.
Noting that “the protection of minors is an integral part of
the Gospel message,” Archbishop Msusa appealed to African bishops “to root out
the causes of child trafficking, child labour and the use of child soldiers.”
"The Church in Africa is a family that includes father,
mother and children. However, in some contexts, children are subjected to great
suffering,” he said.
He listed the evils of child sexual abuse, of children who
are snatched from their families and trained to fight, to be sold or to be
exploited for work.
“It is a challenge that we Bishops have accepted, promising
that we will do our best, as Church in Africa, to ensure that children are well
protected in all areas," he reiterated.
Archbishop Msusa, who is Vice President of the East African
Bishops’ Conference, concluded noting that “the Gospel recommends loving one's
neighbor as oneself,” thus he said, “we have the obligation and the duty to
love and defend children from any possible kind of exploitation”.
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