Collaborative on Global Children's Issues

There is global agreement (illustrated by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child [1989], the most widely adopted human rights treaty) that optimal support for a child comes from a caring and protective family. In addition, Catholic social teaching (outlined in the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church) seeks the whole development of the child within a family setting, affirming God’s plan for family to be a child’s most important source of love, emotional support, and spiritual guidance. Yet, when vulnerable parents and families do not have the resources to meet their basic needs or are otherwise unable to access fundamental protections, the risk of child-family separation increases.

The phenomenon of preventable child-family separation is as old as time. Societal approaches to children at risk of losing parental care are largely informed by cultural beliefs and habits. Faith-based perspectives and responses are—and have always been—an important part of this equation. Christian faith communities have responded to child-family separation in various ways throughout history, contributing to both the propagation and prevention of child-family separation across time and contexts. The Faith and the Family Forum has considered this history in a series of webinars focusing on the theology of the child, children’s care and protection, and the Church’s role in child-family separation through the development and use of residential care worldwide, during American slavery, in Indigenous communities, and in migration policy and response.

For this topic, the Collaborative on Global Children's Issues asks: How is the Catholic Church learning from this history, supporting vulnerable children, families, and communities, and helping to prevent unnecessary child-family separation?

The Christian faith began with a vulnerable child born to a displaced mother facing a range of threats. Since then, Christian communities have interacted with children and families in precarious situations. Catholic organizations have often been on the front lines offering assistance to migrants and refugees all over the world. There are now more children on the move than ever before–fleeing violence, climate disasters, and poverty–and seeking safety and protection within and across borders. Currently, nearly 40% of the 110 million displaced persons worldwide are under the age of 18. Alarming numbers of children are moving alone.

For this topic, the Collaborative on Global Children's Issues asks: How does Catholic social teaching inform faith communities’ responses to unaccompanied and separated children in the context of migration? How do Catholic principles and practices interact with government policies and public perceptions related to immigration?