4 June 2023
Three important observances that concern the Church fall in the first week of June: International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression on June 4, World Environment Day on June 5 and World Food Safety Day on June 7.
The first of those days was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1982 to acknowledge the pain suffered by children who are victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse, to promote the children’s rights, and to protect them from conflict and violence.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child sets out the rights and protections that children are entitled to, including the right to life, survival, and development, as well as the right to be protected from all forms of violence, abuse, and exploitation. This day reminds us of the vulnerability of children who need greater protection and support, and it calls for an end to all forms of aggression against children.
It is the role of the Church and every Christian to uphold children’s rights and protect them, which in turn requires awareness building and coordinated effort. As we love, protect and care for our own children, we have a moral obligation to care for the less privileged children on the streets, in harmful surroundings. We must invest in education, health, and social services to ensure that children can grow up in safe and supportive environments, free from fear and violence.
Sponsoring children through Church agencies that cater to education and healthcare of abandoned and homeless young ones is a way of reaching out to the needy children. On this International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression, let us renew our commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of children affected by conflict.
June 5 is World Environment Day (WED), an observance that has been a huge generator of awareness for environmental protection. Launched by the United Nations in 1973, WED marks its 50th anniversary this year, with a special focus on plastic pollution and solutions to this scourge.
The Church has become increasingly involved in World Environment Day and related movements since Pope Francis’ second encyclical, Laudato Si’, published in 2015. Pope Francis’ continued appeal for deeper reflection, more substantial commitments, and better implementation of Laudato Si’s guidelines necessitates a personal response to climate change. The Church has just concluded the week-long celebration of Laudato Si’ week from May 21-28, renewing its commitment to ‘care for our common home.’
Meanwhile, “Food Standards Save Lives” is the theme of the fifth World Food Safety Day, held on June 7. The focus of World Food Safety Day is on preventing, detecting, and managing foodborne risks to ensure food safety, human health, economic prosperity, and sustainable development. Safe food would also imply distancing oneself from everything “injurious to health.”
The observance of all these international days reinforces the question God asked Cain in Genesis: “Where is your brother?” Don’t ask “Am I the keeper of my brother?” since the answer is yes. You are. Jose, cmf.
