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, including during American slavery (trafficking), through interactions with Indigenous communities and the establishment of residential boarding schools, the development and use of orphanages and institutional care worldwide, and in response to refugee and migrant movements.
For this topic, the Collaborative on Global Children's Issues asks: Is there a theology of the child within the Christian faith? How has the care and protection of children been understood within Catholic social teaching? How have these interpretations interacted with growing evidence about the effects of child-family separation on developmental outcomes across the life course and with the field of child rights?
Roberto Navarro, Senior Director for U.S. Church Engagement, Catholic Relief Services | April 24, 2023
Jennifer E. Beste, Koch Chair in Catholic Thought and Culture, College of Saint Benedict | April 24, 2023
Mary M. Doyle Roche, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, College of the Holy Cross | April 24, 2023
Massimo Faggioli, Professor, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Villanova University | April 24, 2023
Gerard J. McGlone, SJ, Ph.D., Senior Research Fellow, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs | April 24, 2023
Stephen Hanmer D’Elía (J.D., LMSW), Research Fellow, Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues | April 24, 2023
Rev. Fred Nyabera, Director, Interfaith Initiative to End Child Poverty | April 24, 2023
Rev. Hans Zollner, S.J., Director, Institute of Anthropology (IADC) | April 23, 2023
