Holy See Urges UN: Defend Unborn Children Too

NEW YORK, OCT. 16, 2009 (Zenit.org).- As the United Nations discusses the protection of children, the Holy See is underlining the need to defend the lives of those that are unborn as well.

This was affirmed Thursday by the permanent observer of the Holy See at the United Nations, Archbishop Celestino Migliore, in an address before the 64th session of the U.N. General Assembly.

He noted the growing international consensus on issues such as the involvement of children in armed conflict, the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.

The prelate encouraged all States to ratify the protocols that promote "respect for the inherent right to life of all children."

He added, "In our discussions on ending violence against children we cannot but call to mind that for too many children the right to life is denied; that prenatal selection eliminates babies suspected to have disabilities and female children simply because of their sex."

The archbishop stated that "eliminating violence against children demands that the state and society support and enable the family to carry out its proper responsibility."

He observed that there is sometimes "a tendency to speak in terms of the relationship between the child and the state while inadvertently minimizing the role of parents."

"In this regard," Archbishop Migliore said, "my delegation cannot emphasize enough the importance of the family in the life of each and every child and that all legislation regarding children must take into account the indispensable role of parents."

He stated that the Holy See "reaffirms its constant concern for the well-being and protection of all children and their families and continues to call all States to do the same with renewed urgency."

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Full text: http://www.zenit.org/article-27227?l=english