13yr-old father Alfie finds priest's support

London, February 16 (ANI): Schoolboy Alfie Patten, 13, who is believed to have fathered a child at this tender age with his girlfriend Chantelle Steadman, 15, have found the support of a priest who says that it would be wrong to "point the finger at anyone".

Father Seamus Hester said that Alfie and his 15-year-old girlfriend Chantelle Steadman should be supported, rather than blamed, after becoming parents to baby girl Maisie.

The priest presides over St Gregory's Roman Catholic Church, close to Chantelle's home in Eastbourne, East Sussex.

His support for the young couple has come at a time when their case has sparked a fierce political debate over the high rate of teenage pregnancies in the UK and the sexualisation of children.

He said that he commended the family for going through with the pregnancy.

"My immediate reaction is that we mustn't point the finger at anyone. They didn't go off to have an abortion to do away with the child, so obviously they have got respect for human life. Whatever their ages, I say well done for bringing the child into the world," the Daily Star quoted him as saying.

Father Seamus even expressed hopes that those around the teen pair would support them.

"I expect social services will help and I would hope that they have got family and friends to help both of them. That is the most important thing in this situation," he said. (ANI)