Bishop to parents: Don’t outsource raising of kids

MANILA, Philippines — Parents should not hand over the task of raising their children to others, accord ing to Military Ordinariate of the Philip pines Bishop Oscar Jaime Florencio.

Lessons learned at home, Florencio added, can last a lifetime and parents must remain their children’s first teachers, especially on faith and values. 

“Do not give to other people the task of forming the children. What comes first will always be remembered,” Florencio said over the Church-run Radyo Veritas. 

He made the appeal after presiding over a mass wedding at Santuario de San Vicente de Paul Parish in Quezon City on Thursday for 17 couples from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-National Capital Region. 

Florencio said parents have a sacred responsibility to shape their children’s character from the beginning, when basic values and attitudes are first formed. 

According to Florencio, families need support because they are the foundation of society and problems at home can eventually affect communities.

He urged parents to teach good values at home, saying proper formation can help children develop good character and may prevent youth violence in schools.

Florencio urged the newly married couples to build strong families and guide their children by teaching them to pray and honor God.

“We have a mission to build a family, a stronger family, and to form children, especially in the faith,” Florencio said.

Florencio assured families facing difficulties that the Church remains ready to accompany and support them, urging couples not to hesitate to seek help.