Synod of Bishops: God is an abstract thought for the young
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| Wednesday Press Briefing Synod of Bishops. |
Although many young people attend mass and go to confession, and
despite 12 years of catechism, God still remains an abstract thought for them,
a bishop says at Wednesday’s press briefing.
By Russell Pollitt, SJ
On Wednesday the Synod Fathers discussed the draft of the final
document of the Synod of Bishops on Young People, the Faith and Vocational
Discernment. A letter to young people, from the Synod, was also read out in the
General Assembly. It is expected that the letter will be read at the closing
Mass of the Synod on Sunday, 28 October.
Full Churches but what happens outside?
Bishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya of Cameroon said that parishes in
Africa are full, there is not enough space to contain all the young people. The
problem is that after joyful celebrations – sometimes lasting a number of hours
– young people leave and enter a world of unemployment, no medical care, high
rates of poverty and war situations.
The Bishop said that the understanding of family in Africa was
still very strong. He said that traditional values correspond to values in the
Church. They are passed on from generation to generation, youth still follow
their elders.
Asked why he thought the Church in Africa was thriving, he said
that he believes that it is because community is at the heart of African life.
The Bishop said that in Africa they fight the “in-creeping” of individualism.
He said that once people lock themselves up in big houses and build high walls
then community and connection are lost. The Church as community and family is
very strong in Africa. If this is lost, then the Church will empty out.
He also noted that the Church must speak in unambiguous
language, tell young people the truth. It is important that the truth is not
watered down, he added, especially about delicate topics.
God is an abstract idea
Archbishop Grzegorz Ryś of Poland said that it is not that
Poland’s parishes are empty, to the contrary. He said that about 50 percent of
young people go to Church and seek confession regularly. This, however, does
not necessarily mean that they know Jesus. He said that for many youngsters God
is an abstract idea after 12 years of catechism. He said that young people know
little about faith. He went on to explain that if you ask young people about
values they say that family is a value; faith is, sadly, way down the list.
Family is important because of the relationships. He used the example of
religious feasts like Christmas and Easter. Young people see these as
significant “family events” and not as religious occasions. He added that this
is not a judgement but something important to take note of.
Accompanying the young as they make existential decisions
Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Germany said that Pope Francis has
decided to use Synods as part of a global process and way of moving the Church
forward. The Cardinal said that looking at young people between the ages of
15-28 was key because this is when they are making existential decisions. He
said that they are at a sensitive age and one that the Church must understand.
He said that accompaniment at this time was crucial because if they are not well
accompanied then the Church will be a lost playing field for evangelisation.
Women
Asked about the role of women in the Church, Cardinal Marx said
that without change and development one can never make any progress. The
question of women’s roles in the Church is important for the whole Church. He
said that women need to be given real participation in the Church’s decision
making processes. In some place this is already happening. The Cardinal said
that 30 years ago he too may have been opposed to this but, he said, “thank God
I didn’t get stuck there!”
The Cardinal said that the Church must understand the evolution
of time and the development of women’s equality. He said that this is a gift
that God gives the Church in the light of the Gospel. We would be foolish if we
did not make use of the potential that women have. Thank God we are not that
stupid, the Cardinal added.
Sexuality should not be exploited for ideological reasons
Asked about the use of the acronym LGBTI in the final document,
Bishop Nkea said that we must be careful of the language we use. He said that
the Church is the only voice that is opposed to certain ideologies. He said
that there were programmes that require pro-abortion policies in order to
receive aid. This cannot be accepted. The Bishop said that he would not be in
favour of the acronym “LGBTI” being used in the final document. He said that
99.9 percent of young people in his diocese would not know what that means. He
said that if the acronym was used in the document, he would have to take time
to become conversant with something he is not familiar with so that he can
explain it to others.
Cardinal Marx was asked about sexual orientation and the way
that the German Church has handled this. He said that sexuality is being
discussed at the Synod but that this is not a Synod on sexuality. It is being
dealt with in the dimension of accompaniment. He said that there are lobbies
from all different sides wanting to have their agenda heard. He warned against
those who use sexuality to exploit it for ideological reasons. He said that the
Church needs to use a language that is understandable to everyone, one that
accompanies and does not homogenise cultures. He said that this Synod is not
about language but about accompanying the young as best as the Church can. He
said that, for Jesus, sexuality is one dimension of the whole person and not
the whole person.
Commenting on sexual abuse, Cardinal Marx said that this was
brought back into focus in Germany just before Synod. He said that it has been
discussed at the Synod and that a change of attitude is necessary. He added
that abuse was also an abuse of power, as Pope Francis has said many times.
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