The Church is called:

• to receive, nurture and treasure each child as a gift from God;
• to proclaim the Gospel to children, in ways that empower them to receive and respond to God’s love;
• to give high priority to the quality of planning for children and the preparation and support of those who minister with them;
• to include children, in fulfillment of the Baptismal Covenant, as members and full participants in the Eucharistic community and in the church’s common life of prayer, witness and service.

-- from The Children’s Charter for The Church