Bolivian archbishop urges protection of children's rights

La Paz, Bolivia, Sep 7, 2010 / 12:04 pm

Archbishop Tito Solari of Cochabamba in Bolivia has called on Bolivians to safeguard the rights of children – especially children of migrants and refugees - to ensure they are respected.

The archbishop noted that this year, Pope Benedict XVI chose the theme for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees to be: “Minor Migrants and Refugees.”  He added that the Holy Father's emphasis on the youth, “touches upon an aspect we must pay greater attention to, taking into account Christ’s warning, ‘What you do to the least of these, you do to me’.”

“How can we fail to consider underage migrants and refugees among ‘the least of these?’” the prelate asked.

Children have a right to a name, to know their parents, to live with them, to a nationality and to “grow up within a family, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding,” he continued.

“The family is the privileged environment where each person learns to give and to receive.” For this reason, parents must work untiringly to educate their children, the archbishop explained. “Sometimes it is difficult, but never give up and do not neglect to educate them in moral and religious values,” he added.

“In a few short years, the children of today will be the leaders of family life and society,” Archbishop Solari concluded, “and will themselves be caring for the children of tomorrow.”