Pope Francis: The Church cannot be silent

FEW ought to be surprised at the lewd sexual show with the so-called Play Girls during the swearing in ceremony of Philippine politicians of the ruling party in Laguna recently. It’s an acute embarrassment to President Aquino but why all the fuss? Thousands of children and young girls are trafficked into brothels and sexually abused daily, women are raped every few minutes and no one is showing any concern or outrage. Not even the Church leaders. They have yet to speak out.

This week, Pope Francis through the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Street Children and Women issued a strong, challenging statement and Plan Of Action to the Church, government and civil society. It calls on them at all levels to respond with concern and compassion to the crises of street children and women, abused, exploited and prostituted.