Contact: Joretta Purdue (Release # 275) June 3, 1996
EDITORS NOTE: This story may be used as a sidebar to UMNS release #274 {2988}.
WASHINGTON (UMNS) -- Every nine seconds a child drops out of school; every 10 seconds a child is reported abused or neglected; and every 32 seconds a baby is born into poverty.
These average statistics were part of the message United Methodist Bishop Melvin Talbert, president of the National Council of Churches (NCC), delivered May 31 in an interfaith service at the National Cathedral here.
The event was sponsored by the religious community as a prelude to the Stand for Children rally held at the Lincoln Memorial the following day.
Talbert also noted that every two hours a U.S. child is killed by firearms; every four hours a child commits suicide; and every five hours a child dies from abuse or neglect.
"For Jesus, children were first in the Kingdom of God," Talbert said. However when compared to other industrialized countries, he said, the United States is first in military technology and military exports but seventh in science achievement of 13-year-olds, 12th in mathematics achievement of 13-year-olds and 18th in infant mortality.
"When I ponder the theological significance of these horrifying statistics in the light of the World of God, they are a sin and shame before the Almighty God," Talbert declared.
He called upon the faith community to do more to improve the quality of children's lives, including their safety, health, education and future.
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