AustraLasia #119

YOUTH ARE TODAY'S CHURCH BEFORE THEY ARE TOMORROW'S!

Synod calls for new approach

by Vatican Correspondent

VATICAN CITY: 4th December -- As the Synod brings its early conclusions to the floor via the language-based working groups, an insistent and common call from the Bishops has been for a new approach to youth in the Church, one group even asking for approrpiate representation of young people in all forums of the Church including the synod itself. "Young people are not only the Church of Tomorrow, but already of Today" appeared in three spearate working group reports. In some parts of Oceania, the reality is that youth make up 50% of the faithful.

The Synod Fathers have listed a range of necessary approaches to young people: they need to be involved here and now and given a sense of ownership; the youth culture is not the same as the adult culture, so needs another approach; the success of World Youth Days suggests a regional or even diocesan strategy; it is important to listen to our young people; it is important to challenge youth to underpin with prayer whatever apostolic work they undertake; Bishops need to be personally involved with ministry to youth; the venerable practive of pilgrimage has a place in our approach to youth; using understandable language and modern means to enable an encounter with Jesus Christ is the most important experience by which we can help youth; youth need to belong to and draw strength from renewal groups; we need to trust them - and take that risk!

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