THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUTH IN THE SOCIETY CANNOT BE TAKING AS A FRIVOLOUS MATTER
Youth to be protagonists in upcoming synod of bishops
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With the 2014-2015 Synod of Bishops on the Family barely falling out of
sight, the preparatory document for the next synod dedicated to youth
has been released, indicating that young people will play an active role
in both the preparation and the discussion.
“Through every phase of this Synod, the Church wants again to state her desire to encounter, accompany and care for every young person, without exception,” a preparatory document for the 2018 synod read.
“The Church cannot, nor does she wish to, abandon them to the isolation and exclusion to which the world exposes them.”
The theme for the 2018 50th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, “Young People, the Faith and the Discernment of Vocation,” was announced Oct. 6, 2016.
According to the document, in choosing this specific theme, the Church wanted to not only ask herself “how she can lead young people to recognize and accept the call to the fullness of life and love,” but also “to ask young people to help her in identifying the most effective ways to announce the Good News today.”
“By listening to young people, the Church will once again hear the Lord speaking in today’s world. Listening to their aspirations, the Church can glimpse the world which lies ahead and the paths the Church is called to follow.”
Released Friday, the document for synod is divided into three parts focusing on the themes of “Young People in Today’s World,” “Faith, Discernment and Vocation” and “Pastoral Action.”
It concludes with a series of questions directed at the synods and councils of patriarchs of the Eastern Catholic Churches, episcopal conferences, dicasteries of the Roman Curia and the Union of Superiors General.
While some of the questions are more general, others are divided by continent in order grasp the differing realities of youth around the world, as well as to go outside of the “ Western, European, even an Italian” lens the reality of the Church is often read through, Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri said.
While the text clarified that in no way does it provide a complete reading of the situation of youth today, it did say that in order to get an accurate perspective certain factors need to be taken into consideration, such as how countries with high birth-rates where young people make up the majority of the population differs from those where population is diminishing.
Also important to keep in mind is the history that separates countries or continents where Christianity is an ancient part of their tradition and culture, versus others where “Christianity is the minority and oftentimes only recently present.”
Special attention was also given to the growing differences related to gender, “masculine and feminine.” While gender on one hand “determines different perceptions of reality,” on the other it is often the basis “of various forms of domination, exclusion and discrimination, all of which societies need to overcome.”
The text also covers several difficulties youth can face, including: unemployment, poverty, a lack of education, gang and drug violence, child soldiers, various forms of slavery and exploitation, globalization, environmental degradation as well as the differing causes of the increased number of migrants and refugees.
It also touches on the benefits and dangers of technology and the problem of child brides and women forced to marry against their will, noting that obstacles surrounding work and education specifically are “even more difficult for young women to overcome.”
Multiculturalism was another point emphasized, since societies are increasingly more intercultural and inter religious. From the faith perspective, the document said “the situation is seen as a sign of our times, requiring greater listening, respect and dialogue.”
The document also pointed out that youth need both personal and institutional points of reference “who are able to express empathy and offer them support, encouragement and help in recognizing their limits, but without making them feel they are being judged.”
However, it also notes that youth can be “cautious by nature” when it comes to those outside their realm of relationships, leading them to “nourish mistrust, indifference or anger toward institutions,” including the Church.
The skills of youth are needed in order to overcome these challenges, the document says, explaining that “it is significant that young people — often withdrawn into a stereotype of passivity and inexperience — propose and practice alternatives which show how the world or the Church could be.”
“If society or the Christian community want to make something new happen again, they have to leave room for new people to take action.”
Pope Francis
In a letter from Pope Francis coinciding with the document’s publication, the Pope told youth that “I wanted you to be the center of attention, because you are in my heart.”
He recalled how when he was in Krakow for World Youth Day over the summer, he had asked the youth on several occasions “Can we change things?” to which they responded with a loud, resounding “yes!”
“That shout came from your young and youthful hearts, which do not tolerate injustice and cannot bow to a “throw-away culture” nor give in to the globalization of indifference,” Francis said, urging young people to “listen to the cry arising from your inner selves!”
“A better world can be built also as a result of your efforts, your desire to change and your generosity,” he said, telling them not to be afraid of the “bold choices” proposed to them by the Holy Spirit and to not delay “when your conscience asks you to take risks in following the Master.”
“The Church also wishes to listen to your voice, your sensitivities and your faith; even your doubts and your criticism,” he said, telling youth to make their voices heard, to “resonate in communities” and to be vocal even to “your shepherds of souls.”
Pointing to the example of how St. Benedict urged his abbots “to consult, even the young, before any important decision” since “the Lord often reveals to the younger what is best,” Francis said that this is also the case “in the journey of this Synod.”
“My brother bishops and I want even more to work with you for your joy,” he said, and prayed that Mary would “take your hand and guide you to the joy of fully and generously responding to God’s call with the words: ‘Here I am.’”
“Through every phase of this Synod, the Church wants again to state her desire to encounter, accompany and care for every young person, without exception,” a preparatory document for the 2018 synod read.
“The Church cannot, nor does she wish to, abandon them to the isolation and exclusion to which the world exposes them.”
The theme for the 2018 50th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, “Young People, the Faith and the Discernment of Vocation,” was announced Oct. 6, 2016.
According to the document, in choosing this specific theme, the Church wanted to not only ask herself “how she can lead young people to recognize and accept the call to the fullness of life and love,” but also “to ask young people to help her in identifying the most effective ways to announce the Good News today.”
“By listening to young people, the Church will once again hear the Lord speaking in today’s world. Listening to their aspirations, the Church can glimpse the world which lies ahead and the paths the Church is called to follow.”
Released Friday, the document for synod is divided into three parts focusing on the themes of “Young People in Today’s World,” “Faith, Discernment and Vocation” and “Pastoral Action.”
It concludes with a series of questions directed at the synods and councils of patriarchs of the Eastern Catholic Churches, episcopal conferences, dicasteries of the Roman Curia and the Union of Superiors General.
While some of the questions are more general, others are divided by continent in order grasp the differing realities of youth around the world, as well as to go outside of the “ Western, European, even an Italian” lens the reality of the Church is often read through, Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri said.
“Young People in Today’s World”
The preparatory document defines youth as being individuals 16-29 years old, but also takes into account that the definition of “young” is different depending on where you’re from.
While the text clarified that in no way does it provide a complete reading of the situation of youth today, it did say that in order to get an accurate perspective certain factors need to be taken into consideration, such as how countries with high birth-rates where young people make up the majority of the population differs from those where population is diminishing.
Also important to keep in mind is the history that separates countries or continents where Christianity is an ancient part of their tradition and culture, versus others where “Christianity is the minority and oftentimes only recently present.”
Special attention was also given to the growing differences related to gender, “masculine and feminine.” While gender on one hand “determines different perceptions of reality,” on the other it is often the basis “of various forms of domination, exclusion and discrimination, all of which societies need to overcome.”
The text also covers several difficulties youth can face, including: unemployment, poverty, a lack of education, gang and drug violence, child soldiers, various forms of slavery and exploitation, globalization, environmental degradation as well as the differing causes of the increased number of migrants and refugees.
It also touches on the benefits and dangers of technology and the problem of child brides and women forced to marry against their will, noting that obstacles surrounding work and education specifically are “even more difficult for young women to overcome.”
Multiculturalism was another point emphasized, since societies are increasingly more intercultural and inter religious. From the faith perspective, the document said “the situation is seen as a sign of our times, requiring greater listening, respect and dialogue.”
The document also pointed out that youth need both personal and institutional points of reference “who are able to express empathy and offer them support, encouragement and help in recognizing their limits, but without making them feel they are being judged.”
However, it also notes that youth can be “cautious by nature” when it comes to those outside their realm of relationships, leading them to “nourish mistrust, indifference or anger toward institutions,” including the Church.
The skills of youth are needed in order to overcome these challenges, the document says, explaining that “it is significant that young people — often withdrawn into a stereotype of passivity and inexperience — propose and practice alternatives which show how the world or the Church could be.”
“If society or the Christian community want to make something new happen again, they have to leave room for new people to take action.”
Pope Francis
In a letter from Pope Francis coinciding with the document’s publication, the Pope told youth that “I wanted you to be the center of attention, because you are in my heart.”
He recalled how when he was in Krakow for World Youth Day over the summer, he had asked the youth on several occasions “Can we change things?” to which they responded with a loud, resounding “yes!”
“That shout came from your young and youthful hearts, which do not tolerate injustice and cannot bow to a “throw-away culture” nor give in to the globalization of indifference,” Francis said, urging young people to “listen to the cry arising from your inner selves!”
“A better world can be built also as a result of your efforts, your desire to change and your generosity,” he said, telling them not to be afraid of the “bold choices” proposed to them by the Holy Spirit and to not delay “when your conscience asks you to take risks in following the Master.”
“The Church also wishes to listen to your voice, your sensitivities and your faith; even your doubts and your criticism,” he said, telling youth to make their voices heard, to “resonate in communities” and to be vocal even to “your shepherds of souls.”
Pointing to the example of how St. Benedict urged his abbots “to consult, even the young, before any important decision” since “the Lord often reveals to the younger what is best,” Francis said that this is also the case “in the journey of this Synod.”
“My brother bishops and I want even more to work with you for your joy,” he said, and prayed that Mary would “take your hand and guide you to the joy of fully and generously responding to God’s call with the words: ‘Here I am.’”
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