Priest denounces domestic child abuse
A Catholic priest, Father Frank Malinda, has taken a swipe at parents who mete out stiffer punishments on their wayward children, saying the practice amounts to domestic child abuse.
Malinda said much as God urges parents not to “spare their children a rod”, some forms of punishment fall outside biblical teachings.
The priest made the remarks last Sunday when he celebrated mass at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Chinyonga, Blantyre.
“I’m not discouraging you from disciplining your children, but punishments that go beyond their usefulness shouldn’t be encouraged. How can you justify the burning of your child’s hands for merely stealing relish? Is this not domestic child abuse?” asked the priest.
He said the Catholic Church was concerned with rising cases of parents abusing their children in the name of inculcating good character in them.
Malinda encouraged parents to use the Bible and other spiritual literature to teach their children so that they grow up fearing the Lord.
“In most cases, beating doesn’t necessarily make a wayward child become good. Instead, it has potential to worsen his behaviour in the long run as the child hardens up and is able to cope with this type of life,” he said.
