This October we celebrate the month of the protection of children. It is said that Molly Brown, a socialite from Denver, was the one who, during the sinking of “Titanic,” patented the phrase “women and children first,” as people were being organized and sent to the few available lifeboats.
    We don’t know if this was really the first time this phrase was used. It is something that probably belongs more to legend than to history. What we do know is that, if the phrase has stayed with us, it is because it responded to something that is deeply written in the heart of every human person: the protection of our children and of women — who are able to bring children into the world — is something essential.

    Children are the future. But they are not only the “future of humanity” in some abstract way. They are the future of our family, of our family values, of our community, of our church.
    We see in our children everything that our world needs, and that fills us with hope. They are not a mere symbol. They really are of the greatest value, the most important reason for us to continue hoping that the world will be better, that our families and our communities will be better.

     In the encyclical Centesimus Annus, our much missed and beloved Pope John Paul II said that the duty of every community was to create a “human ecology.” He was telling us that the first and most important thing is to guarantee a healthy and safe environment for the human person. Then in the same way we strive to guarantee a healthy environment for the animals, plants and planet earth.
    Since our children, just like every human being, not only have bodies, but have also a soul, we must ensure that they have an environment that is safe physically and most especially, that is free of any kind of pollution that may stain or destroy their soul.

    In the Archdiocese of San Antonio we are committed to protecting children from the moment of their earliest existence, from their conception. For this reason as we celebrate Respect Life month, we renew our commitment in favor of the unborn child.
    But this is not enough. When they come into the world, from that inviolable sanctuary that is the mother’s womb, we want our children to be welcomed by a family, a community, a church that will protect and form them in love; so that they may become members of the next generation of leaders, workers, parents, priests, consecrated men and women that will build a world better than the one we are leaving as inheritance to them.

    As a concrete sign of the Archdiocese of San Antonio’s commitment to provide a safe environment from sexual abuse for every child and youth in our parishes, schools and institutions, I have designated Oct. 9-22 “Safe Church, Safe Child and Youth Days.”
    During this time, it is our purpose to raise the awareness for the need to safeguard our children through education and training. Our Office of Victim Assistance and Safe Environment, with the cooperation of our pastors, principals and parents, has implemented an unprecedented, comprehensive program of training for children, parents and all those in ministry who have regular contact with children.

     During the coming days this training will be offered throughout the archdiocese. If you or your children have not been part of our education program, please contact your parish or school for more information. You can also call our Office of Victim Assistance and Safe Environment at (210) 734-7786.
     When we talk about children, we cannot fail to look at the tender image of the Blessed Mother carrying Baby Jesus in her womb, or sweetly holding him in her arms. To Our Mother, always attentive to all of us, her children, let us entrust all the children of San Antonio, of Texas, of the United States and of the world.