It's easier to talk about other countries' atrocities than to look deeply at the blight of violence meted out on our innocent children, writes Wayne Healey.
It's a sad state of affairs to read about and see nation after nation in conflict, such as Syria, Ukraine, Russia, Gaza, Afghanistan to name some.
We all have our opinions as to what should be done or what is not being done to end this violence and bloodshed so that peace, justice and reconciliation can come about.
But we must all ask the question: ''What are we doing to stop the war in our own country?''
It's a matter of conscience.
The silence is deafening by the public and politicians alike.
Nigel Latta, in his television programme on August 19, Killing our Kids, said the police were called out 90,000 times a year for child and family violence.
The deputy police commissioner said ''the number would be five times more than this if they were all reported''.
That makes about 450,000 the total number of child and family violence cases in our country every year.
Surely, we would all agree this is a terrible indictment on our country.
It's easier to talk about other countries' atrocities than to look deeply at the blight of violence meted out on innocent children on a daily basis in our own country.
I have written on this issue quite some time ago and it grieves me to see little change.
These statistics on family and child violence alone show we are not the peaceful nation we think we are.
Violence, drugs, booze, family and domestic violence, especially towards children, has become like a cancerous disease spiralling out of control.
In the second verse of our National Anthem it reads:
From dissension, envy, hate/ And corruption guard our state/ Make our country good and great/ God defend New Zealand.
These words may be in English or Maori but no matter what language they are sung or spoken in we are all citizens and everyone has to play their part in bringing peace, justice, and reconciliation for all.
Here in our parish of Oamaru we try to alleviate some of the poverty and hardship through our various groups and counselling services.
While this is also done by other churches, organisations and groups, it appears to do little to stem the tide of domestic and child violence endemic in our country.
There is a great deal done by Government agencies but is it enough?
Do these agencies require more staff, more expertise to train new recruits?
Leading up to the forthcoming elections the top billing has been ''dirty politics by dirty means'' and promises by all parties if they are elected.
But what about us!
Are the cries of the innocent children who are regularly violated and abused heard?
I do hope candidates from all parties give this sordid problem top priority and invest in doing more for them not in word but in action, and that government bodies hold cultural forums with TV present and ask the hard questions.
It's not a matter of blame and shame but to seek even better ways to alleviate the suffering of our vulnerable children.
''Lest we forget.''
• Fr Wayne Healey is a Catholic priest from Oamaru.
