The orphan crisis is overwhelming, but Christ’s love is greater. The Catholic Church has a rich tradition of caring for orphans, widows and those in need.
In the Old Testament, the ancient Israelites were commanded to protect the fatherless and care for the widows in their midst. This commitment continued at the establishment of the Church. Early Christians were at the forefront of caring for vulnerable children and the poor, formalizing the acts of charity such as caring for orphans and the sick. In the fourth century, the Church established orphanages, which eventually were taken over by monasteries in the Middle Ages.
St. Augustine reiterated the importance of this work, stating, “Your piety knows what care the Church and the bishops should take for the protection of all men but especially of orphan children” (Epistles 252-255).
Here in the United States, the first Catholic orphanage was founded in 1817 by the Sisters of Charity on Prince Street in New York City. As the foster care system slowly replaced traditional orphanages in the United States in the 19th century, orphan care took on a different meaning to American Catholics. Adoption, foster parenting and volunteer work on behalf of vulnerable children are all part of modern-day orphan care in the United States.
In developing countries without the same government programs, traditional orphanages still exist — and Christians are at the forefront of this movement. Dedicated Catholic religious orders and missionaries run children’s homes, child rescue programs, human trafficking prevention initiatives, and projects to help children infected by HIV/AIDS. American Catholics can be part of this vital missionary work of the Church.