Pope Francis Says It's OK To Spank Children If You Don't Demean Them

Pope Francis has stirred up a hornet's nest with remarks in which he
said it's OK for parents to spank children, so long as they do it with
dignity.

The comments came in his general audience Wednesday in St. Peter's
Square, when Francis was talking about the importance of a good father
within a family.

"I once heard at a wedding a father say, 'I sometimes have to hit my
children a little but never in the face, so as to not demean them.'
How nice, I thought, he has a sense of dignity," the Pope said.

"When he punishes, he does it right and moves on."

The principle of not humiliating the child while doling out the
punishment appears to be central to the Pope's justification of
spanking, as is that of forgiveness.

"A good father knows how to wait and knows how to forgive from the
bottom of his heart. Of course he can also discipline with a firm
hand: he's not weak, submissive, sentimental," he said.

"This father knows how to discipline without demeaning; he knows how
to protect without restraint."

The issue of corporal punishment for children is divisive in many
countries, and the Pope's remarks prompted an outpouring of both
support and criticism on social media.

Father Thomas Rosica, a Vatican spokesman, told CNN that it was
important not to take the Pope's words out of context -- and that
there was an important distinction to be made between discipline and
punishment.

"It's about time that we stop and allow the Pope to speak the language
of most ordinary people, especially parents, who understand the Pope
far better than those who parse every single word and statement that
comes out of his mouth!" he said.

Opinion: Spanking isn't child abuse; it's common sense
"Let us not read into the Pope's words anything other than what is
there. He speaks constantly of mercy and tenderness. He speaks as a
pastor and loving father figure who loves children and wants the best
for them."

Francis showed this affection in a Google Hangout with disabled
childrenfrom around the world Thursday, Rosica added, and "speaks
about disciplining children and never punishing them."
The pontiff also met with street children on a visit to a shelter in
the Philippines last month.

According to the website of the Global Alliance to End Corporal
Punishment of Children, children in at least 43 states are protected
by law from all corporal punishment.

They include more than 20 European nations, as well as countries in
Africa and Latin America.

The United States is not one of the nations where corporal punishment
is banned, but an anti-spanking movement has gained momentum there.

The case of NFL star Adrian Peterson, given probation, a fine and
community service in November after he admitted whipping his
4-year-old son, stirred up the debate. The NFL also suspended the
Minnesota Vikings star running back for the rest of the season.
--CNN