Poland: ‘Cradles of Life’ saving abandoned babies

By Tomasz Zielenkiewicz – Warsaw

Just a few days ago, on the evening of Monday, March 11, the Ursuline Sisters found an abandoned girl in the Polish city of Łódź. They named her Julia. She was dressed normally and appeared healthy, and doctors confirmed her good health.

The same day, an 11-month-old boy was found on Szosa Bydgoska street in the city of Toruń. He was taken to the hospital for checks.

Another child was found on Sunday in Wrocław, and a month-and-a-half-old girl was brought to Rydygiera Street 22-28, in the building of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Charles Borromeo.

All these infants were saved thanks to the "Cradles of Life," special places where children—even a few months old—can be left safely and anonymously if the parents are not able to raise or take care of them.

Visits and care

The "Cradles" open from the outside and are equipped with heating and ventilation.

When they are opened, the people designated to take care of the child are alerted.

Immediately, medical and administrative procedures are initiated so that the child can be examined and put up for adoption.

Currently, there are 60 "Cradles of Life" in Poland, most of which are managed by religious congregations, such as the Sisters of the Divine Shepherd of Divine Providence of the Caritas Center Blessed Maria Karłowska in Toruń.

An ancient practice

The idea of protecting orphaned children in a similar way was already in use during the Middle Ages.

The oldest "Cradle of Life" dates back to 1198, and was located in Rome next to the Santo Spirito in Sassia Hospital, founded by Pope Innocent III.

In Poland, the first "Cradle" was established on March 19, 2006, in Krakow, initiated by the Caritas of the Archdiocese of Krakow and Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz.

In 2023, nine children were found in the “Cradles of Life.”