The Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia in Bahrain hosted the inauguration of the Pontifical Holy Childhood Association in a ceremony presided over by the Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, Bishop Aldo Berardi, with the participation of several priests and parishioners.
Berardi called on the faithful to support this papal initiative, emphasizing that "praying for children is no less important than teaching them to pray for one another." He highlighted that the association aims to instill a sense of global responsibility in children, beyond just providing material support. He noted that involving children in the association's mission fosters values of compassion, openness, and cooperation from an early age.
The ceremony included a pledge taken by children enrolled in the association, committing themselves to prayer, participation, and assistance as part of their dedication to its mission.
Father Marcus Fernandez, a Capuchin monk and the supervisor of the initiative, thanked parents for their continued support. He pointed out that Bahrain is the first country in the apostolic vicariate to establish the association, with plans to expand the experience to other areas in the future.
The Holy Childhood Association is one of the papal missionary works, aimed at fostering a spirit of solidarity, prayer, and mutual assistance among children to support their peers suffering from poverty, conflicts, and humanitarian crises, especially in poor and marginalized countries.
The association, founded in the 19th century, now operates in over 120 countries and focuses on supporting children spiritually, educationally, and medically through programs under the Catholic Church.