Is the Church—are we all—ready to accompany the youth of today?
In Rome another Synod is around the corner. Youth the world over are getting renewed attention. Many of us remember a similar event in 1985, when Pope John Paul II took the lead to celebrate the International Year of Youth. That year was marked by numerous events globally and locally. Today, youth and their needs are getting a renewed attention.
Two preliminary documents have already come—‘Preparatory Document’ in mid-2017 and Instrumentum Laboris (the working document) in June 2018. In both these the most repeated single word would be ‘accompanying’. One sentence from the earlier document highlights the spirit of the whole exercise of this year’s Synod: “In the task of accompanying the younger generation, the Church accepts her call to collaborate in the joy of young people rather than be tempted to take control of their faith.” A revolutionary statement, indeed! Ask any family or community: One of their significant problems would be youth related. But here the Church takes a radical shift from ‘controlling their faith’ to ‘accompanying’ and even more ‘collaborating in their joy.’
Isn’t this what the young people of today are truly asking for? More than anything else, they are eager to get a listening ear and an outstretched arm. ”Today’s youth wants the Church to be more approachable, a bit more patient in understanding them and ready to accept them the way they are,” writes Joseph John from Bangalore. No use getting upset with their unruly behavior, but “if dealt with love, patience and understanding, eventually they will surely grow in faith and will have a very active participation in the Church life.”
“Young people do not feel in tune with the Church,” says the Instrumentum Laboris. “It seems as if we do not understand young people’s vocabulary and, therefore, also their needs.” Surely in recent times, the Church at its highest level has been painfully convicted of this communication divide and has been making earnest efforts to “connect” with the youth and their world. A website launched in June 2017 with 53 questions in six different languages and Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops urging for responses from youth was a massive global exercise of listening. It received more than 60,000 responses and the website generated 173,000 “contacts.” The ‘Pre-synodal’ gathering of young people with the Pope and the Church officials was another major step of the Church getting aligned to the ways of the youth.
Many young people are eager to connect. “When I listen to many friends, I sense that some are drifting away as they feel the church doesn’t understand,” says Nikhil George, an Advertising professional from New Delhi who comes from a non-Catholic background. He is a true beneficiary of listening and accompaniment in the Church. “I wasn’t born in the Catholic Church, but found my way through a Catholic college, the Jesus Youth movement, along with talks and writings of apologists such as Scott Hann and Steve Ray.”
Everyone in the Church has a role to play in listening to and accompanying the youth of today. But, how? Understand the level of youth and work among them. The most frequent comment from youth is often: “It’s boring.” “We need more innovative ways so that the youth can enjoy the church and its activities,” says Ajjo from Chennai. “The parishes and grassroot movements have to engage with the young,” remarks Deekshit Daniel from Delhi.
The Church today realizes the importance of youth, as was well articulated in the Preparatory Document: “Young people know how to discern the signs of our times, indicated by the Spirit. Listening to their aspirations, the Church can glimpse the world which lies ahead and the paths the Church is called to follow.” A surprising turn in Kerala in these months was role of youth in responding to the unprecedented havoc wrought by the recent massive floods. Their unconventional attitude, ability to connect, digital skills and abundant generosity achieved the impossible in finding and saving lives, raising resources, and doing the yeomen task of bringing the society back to normalcy. When the government machinery and all sections of society stood bewildered, the youth came out in hordes and they did miracles, amazing everyone around. What John Paul II said in 1988 is indeed true, “The Church has so much to talk about with youth, and youth have so much to share with the Church. This mutual dialogue, by taking place with great cordiality, clarity and courage … will be a source of richness and youthfulness for the Church and civil society.” So true. May we take it a reality.
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– DR EDWARD EDEZHATH – Chevalier Dr Edward Edezhath is one of the pioneering members and senior animator of Jesus Youth. He shares several key responsibilities in the Church including being the joint secretary to the CBCI commission for Laity. He is a college professor, now doing a major research project under UGC, India.
