Call for prayer for the Child Victims of the Tsunami on National Day of Mourning Sunday 16th of January
13 January 2005
Our major concerns are the recent reports in the press of cases of abuse and trafficking of these children. Children, who have suffered so much, lost or are separated from one or both of their parents are now feared to befalling prey to human traffickers. These traffickers may be selling them to paedophiles, as domestic labour, for illegal adoption or as child soldiers in areas of armed conflict. UNICEF and other Aid Agencies have reported some cases of abuse and kidnapping of children in areas hit by the Tsunamis such as Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia. Of all the human tragedies emerging from the worst natural disaster in decades, sexual abuse of vulnerable children is among the most shocking.'I don't think you could have a more vulnerable child on Earth than a child in this situation,' said a spokesman for UNICEF in Indonesia, John Budd, to BBC.
At midday on January the 6th during the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, the Holy Father, after giving further assurance of his prayers for the "young victims of the tidal wave in Asia", indicated that he could not forget "children who are victims of hunger and disease, of war and of terrorism, as well as children who have been kidnapped, have disappeared or are exploited in shameful traffic."
CWLA are encouraging our members to pray for these children, say the rosary and the special prayer of St Maria Goretti, Patroness of youth and innocence. We ask that the prayer to St Maria Goretti be said on the National Day of Mourning, Sunday January 16th and at the first meeting or gathering of CWL branches.
CWLA Prayer to Saint Maria Goretti
Dear Lord
I know I pray to you each day
for things that are selfish and greedy
but today I want to ask you
to watch over the children most needy.
I know some people use them
in ways not meant to be
please, dear Lord, protect them,
from their pain, set them free.
I want to pray for the kids out there,
who are ragged and homeless and poor,
that their shelter and clothing and food is good,
and that they suffer no more.
Amen.
Republished from Catholic Women's League Australia website
