The Lord is our shepherd
and we are blessed to be under His watch.
I was a pilgrim to the Vatican City while representing Ghana
Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) and the Ghana National Catholic Youth
Council (GHANCYC) as a delegate at the 11th International Youth
Forum. Like any youth, I am interested in the Church and the love it shares
with the various communities around the world. I will share some thoughts and
experiences with you.
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| Victor among the delegate during one of the sessions |
In the month of June 2019, the Universal Church led by the
Dicastery of Life, Family and Youth at the Vatican organized the 11th International
Youth Forum dubbed “Youth in action in a synodal Church”. This
gathered about 250 youths, including 3 Ghanaian delegates, from more than 120
countries in Rome. The forum aimed at promoting the implementation of the final
document from Synod of Bishops on young people, faith and vocational
discernment. Thus, this Post-Synodal forum was in response to Pope Francis’exhortation titled “Christus Vivit”, which means “Christ is alive”. The 299 the paragraphed text was addressed to young people and the people of God across the
world, no matter your status in this life. The first paragraph reads, “Christ
is alive! He is our hope, and in a wonderful way he brings youth to our world
and everything he touches becomes young and new, full of life. Christ is alive and
he wants us to be alive!” ChV 1.
When the delegates encountered Pope Francis after the Mass at the St. Peter’s Basilica, he used the moment to announce the themes for the next three World Youth Day celebrations. The year 2020 “Young Man, I say to you, arise!” (cf Luke 7:14, ChV 20), 2021 “Stand Up. I appoint you as a witness of what you have seen. (cf. Acts 26:16), and 2022 (Lisbon, Portugal) “Mary arose and went with haste” (cf Luke 1:39).
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| An encounter with Pope Francis at the Vatican |
Going forward, you will agree with me that there is no point in
producing documents if the Church is not ready and willing to take action to
implement its content. As such, young people like myself, who were present at
the forum shared this view that we are called not to only produce documents but
to live the message of joy in Christ that inspires these documents. Though the
original languages the documents are published in may be a barrier, the
encouragement from Christus Vivit reveals that we can go beyond such
hindrance.
Moreover, let’s understand this, both young and old people make up the Church and collaboration is a very important factor to realize the purpose of the Church’s desire. We come from diverse backgrounds but we are one and that is what makes the Catholic Church beautiful. I learnt that one of the central themes of Jesus Christ concerning the gospel is about sharing the redeeming power of the cross and the fruits of the resurrection. Such that, “The very first truth I would tell each of you is this: “God loves you”. It makes no difference whether you have already heard it or not. I want to remind you of it. God loves you. Never doubt this, whatever may happen to you in life. At every moment, you are infinitely loved” ChV 112.
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| A crosssection of panellists during the conference |
Young people desire to be engaged in the
Church’s processes and to understand the essence of the gospel knowing that
they are loved with an identity. It holds true that not all young people, some
old people as well, are interested in anything ‘synod’ because of some
prejudices associated with the processes or the voluminous documents that are
published periodically. And it is not everyone that will accept the idea of
empowering young people through formation because of either cultural
structures, socio-economic, psychological and political gaps. However, Pope
Francis highlights in Christus Vivit 34 that “Youth is more than simply a
period of time; it is a state of mind. That is why an institution as ancient as
the Church can experience renewal and a return to youth at different points in
her age-old history. Indeed, at the most dramatic moments of her history,
she feels called to return with all her heart to her first love. Recalling this
truth, the Second Vatican Council noted that, “enriched by a long and living
history, and advancing towards human perfection in time and the ultimate
destinies of history and of life, the Church is the real youth of the
world”. In her, it is always possible to encounter Christ “the companion
and friend of youth”.
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| Addressing the audience |
Some delegates in their
very own words shared that; “Christus Vivit is a pep talk by the Pope
with young people whom he and the Church cannot personally reach”.
I am concluding with ChV
143, “Dear young people, make the most of these years of your youth.
Don’t observe life from a balcony. Don’t confuse happiness with an armchair, or
live your life behind a screen. Whatever you do, do not become the sorry
sight of an abandoned vehicle! Don’t be parked cars, but dream freely and make
good decisions. Take risks, even if it means making mistakes. Don’t go
through life anaesthetized or approach the world like tourists. Make a ruckus!
Cast out the fears that paralyze you, so that you don’t become young
mummies. Live! Give yourselves over to the best of life! Open the door of
the cage, go out and fly! Please, don’t take an early retirement”.
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