Follow-up: Minister speaks out about finding abandoned baby
"I had to compose myself, because it was an intensely emotional experience for me and the members of the church. We see these things on television, but had never experienced it first-hand. It touched my heart so deeply."
The minister of the Dutch Reformed Church in Lewisham contacted the News just after the initial article about the abandoned baby that was discovered by members of his church underneath his car on Sunday, 29 January at about 8am was published.
Read here: BREAKING: Newborn baby found under minister’s car
Anton Mieny said he was in a meeting with some of his church committee at about 8am, when a group of church members approached him saying they had found a newborn underneath his car.
He said he immediately stopped the meeting to tend to the situation.
“The members brought the baby into the consistory and we closed the door,” Mieny said. “We wanted to continue with the service that would have taken place at 9am (an hour after the discovery), but the baby was of utmost importance to us. We also wanted to make it a private matter for the sake of both the baby and the girl who found her.”
Mieny and other members of the church contacted Attie Els, the chairperson for CPF sector 9 who in turn contacted the Krugersdorp police and various emergency medical personnel.
“I had to compose myself, because it was an intensely emotional experience for me and the members of the church. We see these things on television, but had never experienced it first-hand. It touched my heart so deeply.”
Mieny said it was quite surprising that the discovery of the baby was so close to the message he was planning to give that morning. “The topic of the message was love and how we are supposed to love one another no matter how hard it sometimes is. We know the reality we live in doesn’t necessarily accommodate everyone financially and we feel sorry for the woman, because she felt the need to leave her baby.”
After attending to the newborn, Mieny went up to the church’s pulpit at 9am and continued the Sunday morning service. He started by telling the members about the newborn.
“At first everyone in the church was shocked by the discovery, however they immediately asked how they could help and donations for the baby have come flying in since then.
“We were saddened by the situation, but glad that the mother of the child recognised the church as a safe haven and brought her to us,” Mieny said. “We as a church have to be a voice to the voiceless. I’m glad that the message of love entered the congregation’s hearts. They didn’t condemn the mother for abandoning the baby, but rather praised her for choosing to leave her at a church were people could care for her. Although it is a sad situation, whoever brought the baby to the church knew that she would be safe.”
Mieny said if any member of the public wanted to donate food, clothes or baby products to the newborn they could contact the Dutch Reformed Church on 011 953 5978.
Read more here
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