Pope Francis has asked young people to tell him, their bishops and other pastors about their hopes and struggles and criticisms to help inform next year’s synod of bishops.
In a letter to the world’s youth the Pope said that the Church wanted “to listen to your voice, your sensitivities and your faith, even your doubts and your criticism. Make your voice heard, let it resonate in communities and let it be heard by your shepherds of souls.”
The Pope’s letter was released as officials presented the preparatory document for the synod, which is focused on young people. The text includes a series of questions to be answered by national conferences of bishops and other Church bodies. The responses, along with input from young people themselves, will form the basis of the working document for the synod.
Pope Francis chose “Young people, faith and vocational discernment” as the theme for the 15th general assembly of the synod of bishops, which will be held in October 2018.
Young people will have an opportunity to contribute to the working document by submitting reflections “on their expectations and their lives” through a website – sinodogiovani.va – which will be launched in the first week of May, according to Bishop Fabio Fabene, undersecretary of the synod of bishops.
In his letter, Pope Francis used God’s call to Abraham as a model of God’s call to each believer. The patriarch, he said, “received a compelling invitation, a challenge, to leave everything and go to a new land. What is this ‘new land’ for us today, if not a more just and friendly society which you, young people, deeply desire and wish to build to the very ends of the earth?
“A better world can be built also as a result of your efforts, your desire to change and your generosity,” Pope Francis wrote. “Do not be afraid to listen to the Spirit who proposes bold choices; do not delay when your conscience asks you to take risks in following the Master.”
The synod preparatory document offered three chapters for reflection by bishops and youths, which it defines as people roughly between the ages of 16 and 29: young people in today’s world; faith, discernment and vocation; and pastoral activity. Through the synod, the document said, “the Church has decided to examine herself on how she can lead young people to recognise and accept the call to the fullness of life and love, and to ask young people to help her in identifying the most effective ways to announce the Good News today.”
The Church, it said, needs to evaluate its pastoral approach towards young people living in a rapidly changing world.
A special focus, it added, will be “on vocational discernment”.
Priest found dead in Mexico
A priest who had been missing for more than a week has been found dead in northern Mexico.
The body of Fr Joaquín Hernández Sifuentes, 42, was discovered in Parras de la Fuente, about 90 miles west of his working-class parish in Saltillo, while his vehicle was discovered abandoned in another state, the Coahuila state prosecutor’s office said. Two suspects have been arrested.
Bishop Vera López of Saltillo said: “Fr Joaquin was someone who searched for perfection in every activity he did. The desire always to innovate in his work was reflected in the love of the faithful.”
He said that “all of Mexican society is exposed” to violence. At least 16 priests have been killed since December 2012, according to a count by Mexico’s Catholic Multimedia Centre.
Areas of Catholic Herald business are still recovering post-pandemic.
However, we are reaching out to the Catholic community and readership, that has been so loyal to the Catholic Herald. Please join us on our 135 year mission by supporting us.
We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching.
We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Please consider donating.