The spirit of Christmas is darkened by a conspiracy against our children, just as Herod conspired against the Christ Child. One out of three children the devil kills in the womb. The victims' silent screams from the largest mass murder in history are muffled in our apathetic and pleasure-seeking selfishness. Many will neither admit this most devastating of all realities nor their silent partnership in it. "If we say, 'We are free of the guilt of sin,' we deceive ourselves; the truth is not to be found in us" (1 Jn 1:8). However, if we acknowledge our apathy, "He Who is just can be trusted to forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrong" (1 Jn 1:9).

Even if the child escapes the death trap of the womb, the devil attempts to make the child one of the "living dead" (1 Jn 3:14). He brainwashes the child by constant exposure to sin and violence on TV. Then the devil enrolls the child in a school where prayer is either illegal or social suicide because of peer pressure. Many children are further perverted by illicit sex, drugs, and alcohol. The devil permits a few children to go through this system unscathed. They are tokens to tranquilize us to our complicity in the abuse of our own children.

Like Mary and Joseph, parents must "flee" the current hostile ungodly environment (Mt 2:13) and create a godly, "faith-filled" environment for our children. We disciples of Jesus must devote our lives to the welfare of children.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 19, 2005

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