“ No greater challenge faces our society than the need to promote the values of family life and the Christian ethos of the sanctity of marriage. Today broken homes, failed marriages and neglected children are a major threat to the stability of society. The sanctity of marriage, the protection of children and the recognition of our responsibilities to little children are threatened in ways which question the conscience of our community. As we make slow progress towards a truly just society we must not lose sight of the element we call compassion in our lives. Every abused or neglected child, every unwanted child and every child who has lost the joy and freedom of childhood is a judgement on society.

“The Mothers’ Union has the privilege of reminding the Church and Society of that judgement. It must make its voice heard clearly on these issues. That voice must be heard – and listened to.

“The media brings pictures into our homes of crying children in refugee camps, child soldiers in places of conflict and hungry children where there is famine. But in our own society at home there are children today who are crying out for safety, for recognition and for compassion.

“Free and happy childhood is the gift of God. Wherever that freedom is denied be it in Africa, India or South America, be it in Ireland or be it in our own neighbourhood- that denial is a sin which cries out for love, compassion – and action…”

L - R  Trish Heywood, MU World Wide President,
Paddy Wallace, All-Ireland President and the Primate
after the commissioning service in Belfast Cathedral

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