Vatican diplomat: ‘The first right of the child is to be born in a real family’
October 10, 2026
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CWN Editor's Note: Citing the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, a leading Vatican diplomat said that “the first right of the child is ‘to be born in a real family,’ a right that has not always been respected and that today is subject to new violations because of developments in genetic technology.”
Archbishop Christophe-Zakhia El-Kassis, apostolic nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, made his remarks on October 6 during a UN General Assembly discussion of the rights of children.
“The family is the foundation and most important safeguard for children’s rights,” said Archbishop El-Kassis. “It is a child’s first community and is responsible for the child’s wellbeing. Mothers and fathers are their children’s first teachers, protectors, and advocates, helping them to become aware of their God-given dignity.”
The prelate concluded:
Some serious problems remain unsolved: trafficking in children, child labor, “street children,” child marriage, exploitation, violence and the use of children in pornography and modern communication. These violations of the God-given dignity of boys and girls must be effectively fought with adequate preventive and penal measures.The above note supplements, highlights, or corrects details in the original source (link above). About CWN news coverage.
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