Archbishop's plea: Show children more love

THIS has been a most trying year for the nation's children.

In recognising this fact, Archbishop of Port of Spain Charles Jason Gordon urged parents and guardians to show more love to their children, especially during the Christmas season.

Officiating at Christmas Day mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Port of Spain, Gordon said children – a most vulnerable section of society – had to face many challenges this year as a result of the covid19 pandemic. He said in the hustle and bustle of life, it is very easy to forget children and their often silent struggles to cope with life's challenges.

“As we celebrate the Christ child, so to we should celebrate every child. Every child! We should ask ourselves, how are we treating the children? Because, you know, it sounds like a nice idea to have school on a computer digitally on Zoom, but the practicality of that is crazy on our children.

"I don't think you understand the cost to a child who has to sit before a screen, hour after hour and who is expected to remain disciplined, pay attention, sit down quietly, not get up to what you're supposed to do...hour after hour, day in, day out, with little or no break in between," Gordon told worshippers.

He said the virus had not only robbed people of their health and in some cases, their lives, but it has also robbed children of their innocence, their ability to socialise, "And to be children."

And now that there is a break from school, he urged parents to be extra-attentive and show more love to their children so they know that they still matter.

He lamented that the pandemic had forced the nation and the world to make major adjustments to prevent the spread of the virus. He said the words "physical distancing," although very necessary, have taken a toll on children since they learn and grow socially and mentally by physical interaction.

He called on worshippers not only to celebrate the birth of Jesus but celebrate the endurance of the nation’s children to cope with the sudden change to their lives this year.

“I think we underestimate the cost (of this pandemic) on our children and other children in the country for what they have gone through over the past year. I appeal to you, if you have children or grandchildren, make sure they play during this break. They may very well have lost the art of childhood,” he said.

In March, the Prime Minister announced the immediate closure of all schools, daycare centres and other learning institutions as part of government's response to the onset of the pandemic. A partial reopening of school-based classes is planned for the new term for select students – such as those preparing for SEA – but this is dependent on the level of covid19 infections in the country.

Gordon said with all the changes children have experienced over the past year, they deserve to feel loved and appreciated. “Children used to have fun without even thinking about it because that is what childhood is all about...fun and learning. But this (pandemic) has robbed our children of their childhood. Every child deserves to enjoy childhood, every child.

"And if you have children and grandchildren, I'm begging you to stop making them grow up too quickly. Forget about how they will or will not do in the exams...let's get them to play. Let's give them a sense of what childhood is during this time of festivity when they don't have to be in front of a (computer) screen.

“Let us remember that come what may, God is with us. The good news that we bring is that every child is a son and daughter of God. The good news that we bring is that every child deserves to be a child, to have fun, to play, to be protected and to have security, and to be secure and to know that they are loved.”

Gordon advised families to also use the Christmas season to give the gifts of love and forgiveness. "Have a time where we sit together, pull hands together and just say, 'You know, I love you, I forgive you and I ask you to forgive me because it's out of my love that I've been pushing you.'

"The real reason for this season, which is a love that God has for us...gives us love now that we must share for each other. And then our feet will be His feet that walked to bring good news," he said.