Archbishop: Inequalities contributing to children’s deaths

“The discrepancy between the salaries of executives and the salaries of workers; inequalities in legal representation; inequalities in health care; the inequalities in housing; the inequalities in opportunities are some of the inequalities which continue to plague us as a nation in spite of the best intentions of many. It is these inequalities which contribute in no small measure than the state of children’s deaths,” Harris said.

Reiterating the words of Pope Francis, Harris said “until the exclusion and inequalities in our country are reversed the insecurity we experience will only increase, it will not end.”

Harris stated he was asked if the “devil” was to blame for the deaths of the children, but stated that people refuse to look at themselves and their role in society and instead cast blame.

“When these disasters occur, we are quick as a nation to portion blame. I ask you when these disasters occur, though our hearts go out with the compassion of God to the parents, grandparents and families, let us take a few minutes in silence to ask ourselves, what if any help we have given as individuals, and what can and should we do in these circumstances,” Harris said.

Harris said the Passion, Death and Resurrection of the Lord show that God is thinking of others before thinking of himself so that the good of others would be put first in spite of the consequences that would follow.

To change the inequalities in the society, people must be willing to help others and think of others. However, Harris said the culture in which we live is “extremely” individualistic and self-serving with an accent on upward mobility. This culture Harris said pushes people to see one’s own interest before the good of others.