The Editor, Sir:

What excruciating pain that dear little soul must bear! CVM TV has showed the second part of a story regarding the brutal abuse of an infant. An appeal has also been made for persons to call the relevant authorities with information regarding child abuse.

I know that there are situations in which the authorities have been called and the callers are still waiting several months later while they witness the continued torturous and slow death of some of our dear children.

I have also witnessed the near murder or a child. I called the police. Upon the police's arrival, a man in plain clothes who accompanied the uniformed cop, remarked, "but mi know da man deh" in reference to the abusive father.

In the presence of the school's guidance counsellor, I remarked, "This child should be seen by a doctor." The seven-year-old, numbed with pain, swollen at the side, and distant in affect, was a picture of grim despair!

I later learned that the father (who was not taken in by the police) promised that he would take the child to the doctor. The abuse took place at a school. They handed the victim back to his attacker!

What might we say of Jamaica if we share the thought of Dietrich Bonhoeffer? He said, "The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children."

Unfortunately, much of what is written in the columns of our daily papers is not read by many of those who most need to hear the message of transformation, and the invitation for healing. The salvation of our children is in our hands!

I am, etc.,

Rev Fr Sean Major-Campbell

seanmajorcampbell@yahoo.com

Anglican priest