---
title: National seminar urges Brazilian bishops to make child care a cultural norm
url: https://www.faithfulnews.com/en/national-seminar-urges-brazilian-bishops-to-make-child-care-a-cultural-norm
published: 2026-09-28T16:48:49+00:00
language: en
section: World Church
source: https://www.cnbb.org.br/cf-2027-seminario-nacional-exortacao-transformar-cuidado-das-criancas-em-cultura/
organizations: National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors
publisher: FaithfulNews
---

# National seminar urges Brazilian bishops to make child care a cultural norm

The National Seminar for the 2027 Fraternity Campaign opened in the federal capital on Thursday, 24, with a call to transform the care of children into a widespread cultural practice. The event, which runs until Sunday, 27, brings together pastoral agents and representatives from particular churches, regional bodies, movements, and ecclesial organizations. Participants will spend four days deepening their understanding of the campaign's theme, "Fraternity and the care of children," which is illuminated by the biblical motto, "Whoever receives one of these little ones in my name receives me" (Matthew 18:5).

Dom Ricardo Hoepers, auxiliary bishop of Brasília and secretary-general of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, opened the seminar by stating that the group is assuming a shared mission rather than merely preparing for a campaign. He described the life of children as one of the most precious and demanding realities entrusted to the church's responsibility. The bishop emphasized that the chosen motto indicates that caring for childhood is not a peripheral issue in the Christian experience. He explained that Jesus establishes an identification, meaning that receiving a child is equivalent to receiving him.

In his address, Dom Ricardo presented the care of children through four dimensions of conversion: looking, relationships, bonds, and processes. He argued that children must be recognized not just as people preparing for adulthood, but as persons with dignity, rights, faith, and the capacity to participate in the present. The church is called to listen without dominating, guide without suffocating, and protect without silencing. Families and communities must become spaces of belonging, security, and love. The bishop also urged pastoral and ecclesial structures to advance in building safe environments and preventing all forms of violence. He acknowledged that the church does not always protect children as it should, noting that there are wounds to recognize, victims to listen to, and practices to review. He stressed that care must become a culture, not just a beautiful discourse.

The campaign aims to reach various spaces of ecclesial life, starting with families and extending to catechesis, choir groups, mission work for children and adolescents, schools, pastoral services, and movements. It also involves dialogue and shared responsibility with society. Dom Ricardo stated that the campaign should help the church in Brazil move from isolated care actions to a true culture of care. Children are to occupy a central place in this process. The campaign's base text has already been enriched with questions, drawings, fears, dreams, and contributions from children and adolescents. The bishop suggested that the first attitude of those who wish to care is to stop speaking for children and start speaking with them.

Father Tiago Ávila Camargo, deputy secretary of pastoral care at the National Conference of Bishops, also addressed the participants. He highlighted the need to recognize the place of children in the ecclesial journey. He noted that the process requires special attention from local churches and various ecclesial services so that children are recognized as participants in evangelization. He emphasized the importance of listening to them and building a path together.

In a video message, Dom Luís Manuel Ali Herrera, secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, expressed the Vatican body's adherence to the 2027 Fraternity Campaign proposal. He recalled that the commission has the mission from the Pope to accompany local churches in implementing guidelines and prevention and protection protocols. He stressed that victims and survivors are always at the center of the safeguarding processes. He associated the campaign's theme with the protection of children, adolescents, and vulnerable people, and expressed the commission's proximity to the initiative of the church in Brazil.