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PONTIFICIUM OPUS A SANCTA INFANTIA

 

THE POPE
AND CHILDREN

PARENTS ARE THE FIRST
TO TEACH THEIR CHILDREN
ABOUT THE MEDIA

« People grow or diminish in moral stature by the words which they speak and the messages which they choose to hear. Consequently, wisdom and discernment in the use of the media are particularly called for on the part of communications professionals, parents and educators, for their decisions greatly affect children and young people for whom they are responsible, and who are ultimately the future of society.

Parents, as the primary and most important educators of their children, are also the first to teach them about the media. They are called to train their offspring in the “moderate, critical, watchful and prudent use of the media” in the home (Familiaris consortio 76).
.

When parents do that consistently and well, family life is greatly enriched. Even very young children can be taught important lessons about the media: that they are produced by people anxious to communicate messages; that these are often messages to do something - to buy a product, to engage in dubious behaviour - that is not in the child’s best interests or in accord with moral truth; that children should not uncritically accept or imitate what they find in the media.

Parents also need to regulate the use of media in the home. This would include planning and scheduling media use, strictly limiting the time children devote to media, making entertainment a family experience, putting some media entirely off limits and periodically excluding all of them for the sake of other family activities. Above all, parents should give good example to children by their own thoughtful and selective use of media. Often they will find it helpful to join with other families to study and discuss the problems and opportunities presented by the use of the media. Families should be outspoken in telling producers, advertisers, and public authorities what they like and dislike.»

(His Holiness Pope John-Paul II, Message for the
38th World Day of Social Communications, 24 January 2004
)
 

HELP FAMILIES BE THE FIRST PLACE
FOR THE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION OF CHILDREN

« Involve parents in the preparation of their children for the sacraments and Christian life. Taking into consideration family schedules and needs organise meetings of spirituality and formation in apartment blocks, in individual homes. Help families to be the first place for the Christian education of children. ».

(His Holiness John Paul II, Homily 28 February 2004,
during a meeting with four parish communities of the city of Rome
)
 

IT IS A LOUD CRY OF PAIN FROM CHILDREN WHOSE DIGNITY IS OFFENDED. IT CANNOT,
IT MUST NOT LEAVE ANYONE INDIFFERENT.…

« Looking at the Child Mary, how can we fail to remember the many defenceless children of Belsan, in Ossezia victims of a barbaric kidnapping and tragic massacre ? They were inside a school a place in which values are learned that give meaning to the history, culture and civilisation of peoples : reciprocal respect, solidarity, justice and peace. Instead between those walls they experienced outrage, hatred and death, the evil consequences of cruel fanaticism and an insane disregard for the human person.

At this moment our gaze broadens to take in all innocent children in every corner of the earth who are victims of the violence of adults.

Children forced to use weapons and taught to hate and kill; children induced to beg in the streets, exploited for easy earnings ; children ill-treated and humiliated by arrogant, abusive grown ups ; children left to themselves, deprived of the warmth of a family and prospects of a future ; children who die of hunger, children killed in the many wars in various regions of the world.

It is a loud cry of pain from children whose dignity is offended. It cannot, it must not leave anyone indifferent.…”

(His Holiness John Paul II, General Audience
Wednesday 8 September 2004
)


 

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