Igniting Young Hearts and Protecting Innocence: Enugu Diocese Holy Childhood Association Hosts Missionary Seminar to Inspire and Shield the Next Generation
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By Chinenye Dike
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A powerful and inspiring seminar unfolded as the Pontifical Mission Societies of the Holy Childhood Association (HCA) brought together young Animators, church leaders, and advocates for children’s welfare at St. Michael Parish, Asata today 9th November, 2024.
The day began with the Holy Mass, led by Rev. Fr. Engr. Francis Agu, Director of the Holy Childhood Association, Catholic Diocese of Enugu, but it was a mission that went far beyond the bounds of tradition. This was a clarion call to safeguard innocence, shield the young from worldly influences, and prepare them as “mobile temples of God.”
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The Call to Holiness and Mission: “Mobile Temples” in a Troubled World
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In a soul-stirring homily, Rev. Fr. Vincent Iwuchukwu drew a parallel between the feast of the Lateran Basilica Temple dedication and the event’s purpose, challenging participants to see themselves and their mission as vessels of divine truth. Through baptism, he preached, every child of God becomes a sacred temple, carrying a personal duty to resist corruption and to stand as living emissaries of the Gospel.
Father Vincent warned of darker forces preying on the purity of youth. “Today, the devil no longer waits for adulthood,” he cautioned, “but reaches for children, planting seeds of discord and ungodly ideologies.” Citing symbols of “cattle” and “pigeons,” Fr. Vincent urged families to keep worldly distractions and materialism from replacing Christ’s place in their children’s lives. “Let us chase away these harmful elements that threaten our children,” he exhorted, in a message that sent shivers through the congregation. It was a potent reminder of the Holy Childhood Association’s mission: to guide children toward God from an early age and protect their innocence from the ideologies of a world in moral disarray.
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“Go and Invite Everyone to My Banquet”: Fr. Francis Agu on Embracing All for the Kingdom
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Rev. Fr. Francis Agu, a driving force behind the event, addressed the Animators, those specially tasked with guiding the HCA’s young members, about their essential role in “inviting everyone to God’s banquet.” This theme resonated throughout the seminar, invoking a vivid image of Christ’s parable of the wedding feast, where everyone is invited, regardless of status or background.
Fr. Francis detailed the “four paths” of the Pontifical Mission Societies, a comprehensive guide for the Animators to follow as they return to their communities, eager to inspire and instruct. “This banquet,” Fr. Francis explained, “represents the joy, unity, and nourishment found in God’s presence. It is a universal call, extended to the believer and the lost alike.” His message urged Animators to be agents of God’s inclusive love, reaching across cultural, religious, and socioeconomic lines to bring God’s invitation to all.
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A Tradition of Holiness: Rev. Sr. Sochinwe Chukwu on the HCA’s History and Mission
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With unmatched passion, Rev. Sr. Sochinwe Chukwu, the first speaker, illuminated the history and mission of the Holy Childhood Association, drawing from its origins in 1843 when Bishop Charles of France envisioned it as a movement of “Children Helping Children.” For over a century, the HCA has served as a sanctuary of faith and charity for children aged 3–14, teaching them not only the values of prayer and sacrifice but also an awareness of their global responsibilities as young evangelists. “Through their baptism,” Sr. Sochinwe affirmed, “they are missionaries. They learn to pray not just for themselves, but for children all over the world.”
Sr. Sochinwe outlined the HCA’s myriad activities: unit prayer meetings, charity visits, and annual parish and diocesan celebrations. Through these practices, children find their place in the church, learn the importance of sharing, and grow into leaders who carry the torch of faith for their peers.
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“Patience and Equality”: The Qualities of an Animator
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In a sobering moment, Sr. Sochinwe spoke of the patience, love, and discipline required to be an effective Animator. “Our task is to instill a sense of belonging, discipline, and inclusivity among children,” she said, reminding participants that their impact goes beyond the HCA and into the fabric of Nigerian society. Animators, she urged, must model equality, love, and friendship, setting an example of Christ’s teachings in every interaction.
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Battling the Darkness of Child Abuse: Dr. Scholastica Onyekwulu Speaks Out
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The seminar shifted into a more somber territory as Engr. Dr. Onyekwulu Chinelo Scholastica took the stage, addressing a painful reality that shadows the lives of Nigerian children. “Sixty percent of children in Nigeria experience abuse before the age of 18,” she revealed, highlighting the urgent need for vigilance, law enforcement, and spiritual intervention. Dr. Scholastica’s voice quivered with emotion as she described the different faces of abuse: from physical and emotional trauma to the horrors of child labor and female genital mutilation.
Yet, even amid these grim statistics, Dr. Scholastica offered a path forward: educating caretakers, enforcing protective laws, and fostering a culture of respect and kindness. She called on the Animators and parents to be “watchtowers” for children, guardians who not only teach but protect the vulnerable from harm.
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The Spirit of Compassion and Inclusion: Mrs. Kate Onuoha on Child Development
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Closing out the seminar, Mrs. Kate Onuoha shared insights into the intricate growth and developmental stages of children, emphasizing that each stage from infancy to adolescence requires care, understanding, and respect. Children’s rights, she stressed, are not negotiable. “Children need to grow in environments free from fear and deprivation,” she said, urging attendees to champion children’s rights to life, education, and protection from abuse.
Mrs. Onuoha’s message underscored the pressing need to advocate for Nigeria’s children in the face of challenges like poverty, discrimination, and trafficking. As she listed organizations dedicated to child protection, it was clear that this mission extended beyond church walls and into a broader call to reform society itself.
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“Who Needs to Hear God’s Invitation Today?”: A Final Call to Action
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The seminar’s closing moments carried an unmistakable urgency as Fr. Francis posed a question to the congregation: “Who in your life needs to hear God’s invitation today?” In the silence that followed, one could sense a profound reflection taking root. It was not enough to hear these messages, Fr. Francis implied, but to act on them to return to their communities as beacons of compassion, justice, and resilience.
This School of Missionary Animation Seminar was more than an event; it was a milestone, an urgent reminder of the need to protect and nurture young souls in a world that often fails to safeguard its most vulnerable. As the participants bowed their heads in a final prayer, they departed not only with new insights but with a commitment to carry the mission forward: to be voices of change, ambassadors of Christ’s love, and, above all, protectors of the next generation.
In a time of profound moral upheaval, the Holy Childhood Association stands as a testament to faith in action, a movement that dares to believe that children are not just the future of the church but its present, a present worth defending, nurturing, and empowering.
