Pieces of us abandoned in the street
The MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel E. Abs delivered this speech at the monthly webinar organized by the Middle East Council of Churches under the title “Human Dignity for Newborns of Unknown Parents”, on Thursday 31 August 2023. This webinar is part of the series of monthly seminars launched by MECC, within the framework of the “Human Dignity Project” - “Dialogue and Social Cohesion-Social Capital Rehabilitation”.
Dr. Michel E. Abs
Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches
They came to where they have no place.
They were "unwelcomed guests" in a society unprepared to receive them.
They are the result of a mistake, sin, crime, or any other reason!
“I wish they were not there,” says those who are not ready to receive them or who were not expecting them.
Why did you come into the world, you "unwelcome" children?
With this context, attitude, and thinking, newborns end up on the street, either on a hill of rubbish, or at the door of a temple or institution.
At a time when the world's institutions are active in preserving children's rights and securing a suitable environment for them, we find those “throwing” children in the street, leaving them to face an unknown fate.
At a time when many families are deprived of children, we find the reckless and irresponsible living in a state of "surplus children", getting rid of them by the most horrible means.
This phenomenon is not new in the history of humanity, but it is surprising that it still continues, even today, in some societies.
Some circles called them “bastards”, some “children of adultery” and some “children of the forbidden”; some other called them, illegitimate children or children of unknown parents.
We do not care where this child, of a few hours or days of age, came from, nor how he got to where we found him. Rather, what matters to us is that, as soon as he came out into the world, he became a social being with basic rights, the first of which is identity, followed by other rights, all of which are related to family, health and educational care. Therefore, he has the right - indeed, it is the duty of society - that his dignity and rights be preserved, and that he is not punished for the mistakes of those who brought him into the world. He can't bear the burden of mistakes made when he didn’t exist yet.
Is it necessary for us to refer to him the words of the philosopher of Al-Maarat (Abou Al Ala’a Al Maarry), that “this is what my father committed against me, whereas from my side, I did not commit offense against anyone?”
A child abandoned in the street is the indicator that the entire societal system is not working. Neither protection nor educating people is secured, nor is care for girl - victims secured, nor is the necessary legislation secured, not even social awareness is secured, in order to avoid the girl-victim being overwhelmed with all forms of accusations and judgments.
We do not yearn to become a society that identifies with what is happening in other societies. We opt not to give birth to children outside the framework of the family, because the family is the nucleus of the societal cell, and eliminating it means dismantling society. However, we must expect errors resulting from recklessness, lack of appreciation, or deception, and be able to deal with them.
Here we must focus on the role of the state, because the non-governmental bodies that deal with the issue of these children, and most of them are religious bodies, cannot bear the burden of this phenomenon alone. The phenomenon of children of unknown parents is greater than the capabilities of a group of institutions that deal with the problem and provide services with all their energy.
Childhood occupies a distinguished place in the Christian faith, which is embodied in the sayings and actions of the incarnate Master with regard to the little ones, as it was stated by Him that “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it is better for him that a millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depths of the sea,” as he said. It is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones perish.”
The Lord also made the children king over the kingdom of heaven when He said: “Have you ever read that I have prepared praise from the mouths of infants” and “Let the children come to Me and do not forbid them, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
On the behavioral level, the incarnate Lord emphasized the care, love and protection of children when He said: “Be careful, do not despise one of these little ones.” Rather, he went further as he warned: “Whatever you did for one of these little brothers of mine, you did it for me.”
The Church has honored the Master’s commandments about childhood, and it has inspired many countries in their legislation and social policies, just as it has inspired many spiritual leaders to establish associations that deal with childhood, especially the suffering childhood, despite many lapses that amount to a crime and result from human weakness that does not touch the foundation of the endeavor nor what has been accomplished, nor the noble work of those who do well.
Childhood is the basic red line in any society that wants to produce normal adults, and wants to secure a better future for its generations, born and yet to be born. As for the victim's childhood, it deserves more attention due to its vulnerable situation.
This is another challenge that we pose to the concerned researchers, who are aware of the enigmas of matters, and through them to society and the state, to protect weak people and not to burden them with what is not their responsibility, and remember the noble saying that “no bearer of burden bears the burden of another.”