This week as well as our own intentions for our children, let us also remember in our holy hour and prayers all children affected by war and let us offer their sufferings to God on their behalf.
Child Soldiers: the facts
How many child soldiers are there?250,000 children are thought to be involved in armed conflict. Some estimates put the figure as high as 300,000. It is thought that 40% of child soldiers are girls.
In which countries are child soldiers used?
Evidence suggests that child soldiers are active in at least 14 countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, DR Congo, India, Iraq, Philippines, Somalia, South Sudan, Thailand and Yemen.
Why and how are child soldiers used?
Children are more easily manipulated than adult fighters. Many children will fight on the frontlines. Not all fight, they may be given jobs such as couriers. Girls are often forced into sexual slavery.
How are child soldiers recruited?
Many are recruited by force - stolen from their families and forced to fight. In some cases children are made to kill their relatives so they can never return home. Others join voluntarily, driven by poverty and the hope of a regular meal. Cf. (Peace Direct).
Rescue me from my enemies, my God,
Be my stronghold from my assailants,
Rescue me from evil-doers,
From men of violence save me.
(Ps.59:1-2)
How does war affect children?
According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), 2 million children have been killed by conflict over the last decade; 6 million children have been made homeless; 12 million have been injured or disabled; and there are at least 300,000 child soldiers operating in 30 different conflicts across the globe.
A child is particularly vulnerable to the ravages of war. According to a United Nations study on children in war by Garca Machel, "The physical, sexual and emotional violence to which they (children) are exposed shatters their world. War undermines the very foundations of children's lives, destroying their homes, splintering their communities and breaking down their trust in adults."
The Second Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary
Jesus is scourged at the pillar
Children should not have to suffer as Jesus did and yet they do.
Let us offer up this Sacred Mystery for all God's little one's who are suffering from the ravages of war.
Prayer for Peace
Lord, make me an instrument of Your Peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness , light; and
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)
Luke 18:15-16
People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them.
When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.
But Jesus called the children to him and said,
"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,
for the Kingdon of God belongs to such as these."
Jesus loves children, as is evident in this Gospel passage. He does not desire that they should suffer or be ill treated. He wants them to be loved and cherished.
Please pray for all war and violence to end and may God's children live as he so intended.
Amen.