August 11. SEE. Child rape. A serious topic needing an urgent response from the groups was the question of abuse and rape of children.  “Are our children precious to us, are they not a fruit of our love to be guarded and protected?”  “Should we not consider all children everywhere in the same light?”  “yes, but how?”  “Child rape can of course never ever be justified but how can it be explained?  What could be going through a rapist’s mind?  Surely that is an unnatural act? Is there some substance-induced behaviour underlying this, or a personality disorder?”  Rayhab, the parish’s social worker, agreed to organise some professional input on this subject and some possible responses to help them when necessary, for example the Child Safeguarding programme which dioceses and parishes are promoting.  

JUDGE. Reflect, share, act. Scripture:   Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 18: 1-5.  Pope Francis. The sexual exploitation of children is a scandalous and perverse reality in present-day society.  Societies experiencing violence due to war, terrorism and organised crime are witnessing the deterioration of the family, above all in large cities where the phenomenon of street children is on the rise.  Sexual abuse of children occurs where they ought to be most safe, e.g. in families, schools, communities and Christian institutions. AL 45.   Pope Leo:  we cannot limit ourselves to the level of abstract analysis. Pope Francis encouraged us to “touch the wounded flesh”  of those who suffer, look at their faces, listen to their stories and acknowledge their wounds. Painful events require both history and memory, the former to recount the facts, the latter to bear witness to lived experiences  MH 216.

ACT AND PRAY   Reflect and share as appropriate. As this is the feastday of st Clare close follower of St Francis invite her to join us in praying for children who suffer this and all kinds of injustice, Pray St Francis Peace Prayer and pray: Mary, Queen Assumed into Heaven, Patroness of South Africa, pray for us.