Holy See to UN: Pornography Contributes to Child Abuse

By | October 13, 2022

Holy See Diplomat Monsignor Robert Murphy

NEW YORK, October 14 (C-Fam) During UN debates this week, the Holy See delegation, which represents Pope Francis at the United Nations, denounced abortion, pornography, and surrogacy, as “practices that reduce the human person to an object.”

“It is a mistake to think that a society where an abnormal consumption of internet sex is rampant among adults could be capable of effectively protecting minors,” Monsignor Robert Murphy told the UN third committee while citing Pope Francis’ comments against child pornography. The committee, which deals social issues, met earlier this week to debate the rights of children.

Monsignor Murphy did not mince words when describing surrogacy either, saying that it “turns a child into the mere object of an absolute desire to be satisfied and cannot be justified by sympathetic motivations.”

He said the commodification of children was also at work in relation to abortion because it “treats children as discardable.” As examples, he pointed to the rejection of girls and children with disabilities through sex-selective abortion and abortion based on disability.

Monsignor Murphy highlighted the importance of the family as “the foundation for children’s wellbeing” in line with international law. He emphasized the role of parents as the “primary educators of their children,” stressing that parents meant both “mother and father” when referring to parents. And he lamented how “children without parental care are more likely to experience exclusion, violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.”

“Efforts to promote and protect the rights and wellbeing of children must therefore go hand in hand with measures to support and strengthen the family,” he concluded.

Murphy’s remarks contrasted with the remarks of powerful Western countries who did not mention mothers, fathers, and the family at all in their statements about the rights of children.

The United States delegation chose the debate on the rights of the child to promote homosexuality and transgenderism.

“Across the globe, LGBTQI+ children are suffering, and often in silence. LGBTQI+ children are at greater risks for homelessness, suicide, depression, anxiety, abuse, and substance use. We must work together to ensure that LGBTQI+ children everywhere are treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve,” said Dylan Lang, U.S. Adviser for the Third Committee.

The European Union emphasized the right of children to “be heard” and to make their own decisions.

Several countries brought up family policies in the context of child protection, but none more so than Hungary.

“Child protection is a high priority for Hungary, enshrined in our Fundamental Law,” said the Hungarian delegation. “In this spirit, we spare no effort in supporting children’s physical, mental and social development and has been providing comprehensive support directly to children in need, such as free school catering, as well as an enabling family environment through paid parental leave, tax exemption for families with four or more children, social protection, as well as parenting support to families in vulnerable situations.”

The Third Committee resolutions will eventually be forwarded to the full General Assembly in December.

One observer told the Friday Fax, “It is so helpful when the Holy See speaks up so forcefully. It helps all delegations who want to speak up, too.”

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