Synod of Bishops: Young people
are used-less, not useless
 |
| Tuesday Synod Briefing. |
At the Tuesday briefing for the Synod of Bishops on Young
People, Cardinal Tagle from the Philippines said that the young women present
with the bishops provided a much-needed expansion of horizons at the Synod.
By Russell Pollitt, SJ
The draft of the final document was presented to the Synod
Fathers on Tuesday morning and was greeted with a long round of applause, Dr
Paolo Ruffini Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication said. On
Wednesday, the Synod Fathers will put forward proposals for integration into
the final document. Dr Ruffini said that the document is different to the
working document, the Instrumentun Laboris, but reflects many of
the issues that were outlined in that document. He said that the icon for the
entire document is the Scriptural account of the Road to Emmaus. He also said
that a letter is being prepared and addressed to young people.
Wisdom and strength move us forward
Mr Joseph Sepati Moeono-Kolio, an auditor representing
Caritas International and Oceania from Somoa, said the Synod has been an
overwhelming experience. He said that it has been a time in which the Church
has been reflecting on its engagement with the world, being acutely aware of
the challenges the Church faces and proactively going out to meet those
challenges. He said that the Synod spoke about Catholic Social Teaching and how
to equip young people to go and use it in the world to face the issues that are
before them.
Mr Sepati said that an image of the Synod for him from his
own context in the Pacific region is an older wise person and young person in a
canoe. The older person knows how to read the stars and navigate the oceans,
the younger person has the strength to move things forward.
The Synod was like a school
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo from Myanmar said that after the
Synod he personally and the Church in Myanmar will give more attention to young
people. He said that he realised that young people have not be listened to as
they deserve to be. He said that the Church needs to realise that young people
are used-less and not useless. He said that he hopes that the whole Church will
give attention to young people and follow up on the recommendations of the
Synod.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines said that
he doesn’t like comparing Synods, as each one that he has attended, seven in
all, is unique. This Synod has been like a school, young people have been
teaching us, by sharing their dreams and desires but most especially by telling
their stories, the Cardinal explained.
The feminine
Cardinal Tagle said that this has also been a different
Synod as the feminine voice has certainly been a focal point. He said that it
was suggested often that female figures in Scripture should be used as
interpretative lights for young people today. He said that the testimony of the
young women at the Synod provided a much-needed expansion of horizons. The
Cardinal said that when we talk about diversity it is not just about cultures
but also the experience of women which is unique.
Migration and education
Archbishop Bienvenu Manamika Bafouakouahou from Congo said
that he uses this image for the Synod: the final document of the Synod will be
one that launches the bishops into orbit, like satellites, they in turn will
give the signal back to young people on earth.
He said that in different parts of the world the issues were
different for young people. For him, he said, migration is a real issue. Young
people are looking for a better life but they are also driven from their homes,
expelled from their land. This was caused, for example, by the degradation of
the ecosystem at the hands of multinationals. He said that things like COP21
are often not adhered too despite all the promises made.
The Archbishop went on to say that another big concern is
formation and education. He said that in Europe education was advanced but that
in many African countries this is still a serious problem. Something must be
done so that young people can grow and integral development can take place on
the continent, the Archbishop concluded.
Holy Father to attend a book launch
At the briefing Jesuit Father Antonio Spadaro spoke about a
book that will be launched tonight at which Pope Francis will be present and
answer questions. The book is entitled The Wisdom of Time and
is aimed at bridging and connecting different generations. Fr Spadaro said that
the Pope has been involved in the book in three ways: The Holy Father wrote the
preface, he wrote about his own experience as an older man himself and then
also contributed as a spiritual guide by commenting on the stories in the book.
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