PERSONAL REFLECTION ON “THE CHURCH LISTENS TO AFRICAN YOUTH”

INDEX

CHAPTER ONE
THE CHURCH LISTENS TO AFRICAN YOUTH (Symposium)

This chapter will present in a summary form whatever the key speakers in the symposium. Theme of the symposium was “The Church Listens to African Youth.” They were three keynote speakers. Sr. Luci spoke on the theme “young people and missionary Discipleship,” Fr. John Bosco’ the theme was “young people and digital world,” and finally Fr. Erius Mkuwa talked on “youth and migration.”

1.1 “Young People and Missionary Discipleship”

Sr. Luicy, a saletian sister who has been there in the synod, started by speaking about how the youth synod and its preparation by Pope Francis. Theme of the synod was about “young people, Faith and vocational discernment” Pope Francis never gave talk but he only listened. He greeted the each youth by coming thirty minutes early to symposium. Youth in synod said “We do not need teachers but they need one who accompanies them.” It was nice experience of openness, listening and development.

There were many group who gave reports and drafts about the concerning issues of youth. She spoke also about sexual abuse. It is not only about the sexual abuse, it comes because of the power urge etc. Youth said that church has been the teachers in the aspects of sex and moral life. Youth asked church to accompany. Youth do not know how seminary and convents work, they asks to open to youths. Youth in digital and social life are to be met through dialogue.

From the issues of synod, they realized that they cannot have one definite because they have come many culture and language. Youth are many at present so they are not the future but the present by looking the population of youth in Africa especially in Uganda.

Today’s world is competitive; it urges to be the first and the church should be opposite to that mentality by showing love. This is where the concept of Discipleship comes in. Youth’s participation in the church is mandatory and it is not charity by their fact of their baptism.

She also spoke of the internal and external immigration issues. Missionary discipleship is also to be met.

The synod is not yet over. At the end sister said that it does not stop at symposium but something should happen at concrete level for this synod to be very successful.

1.2 “Young People and Digital World”

Fr. John Bosco spoke on the above theme. It has two aspects: young people and digital world. It can be seen in two aspects. It is about sharing information during this digital gadgets. According to U.N. The age allocation for youth is between 15 and 24. According to church, the age limit is between 18 and 35 years. He spoke of various ways of using social media. Each of these age group has ways to approach these social media. In Africa, one can speak of urban area, boarding, status of their income and carrier group have different way of using according to their purpose.

1.2.1 Assumptions

First assumption. All social is corrupting the young people. Most youth interact in the social media. He said that “To engage means to have access.” One should be clear that “Using is not abusing.” This assumption are to be challenged. It challenges us to study about it. Church has recognized this challenges. Most people have their access to social communication, but not all the regions have access to internet.

Second assumption. These culture had corrupted the youth. Where the problem does stays? Young cannot save because of it, they cannot build house, they cannot marry and they cannot deal with family. It leads to frustrations. Despite of this disadvantages, church says that social media is good. Pope says young people should be heard. Young people should be on social media. Pope himself have 34 million followers. However church encourages the responsible use of social media.

1.2.2 Young people and digital media

1. Pervasive reality: We are living in it. It leads to opportunity. Creator of the Facebook is young. He is rich and can fund Kenya’s fund for three years. Young people are not about future but present.

2. Dark side: is that it leads to loneliness, dependency and block the authentic relationship. Social media will addict you, surprise you and kill you. For example, the likes in Facebook.

1.2.3 Vital Question

How are we doing/using in social media? Are we genuine? How are we bringing/presenting Jesus in social media?

1.3. “Youth and Migration”

Fr. Erius Mkuwa said that now burning issue around the world now is migration but here we include also the youth. First migrant was Joseph and Mary and refugee was Jesus.

1.3.1 Challenges

There are reason why people move from one place to another place. There are many challenges. There are problem of political instability, unemployment and unrealistic expectation of young people. Then one should look what the pull-point is for the migration. All people want is better life condition, health and wealth.

There are many migrants in the Arab and Utopia. They are used for advertisements, refuse camp, human trafficking. Political challenges and re-integration challenges are very difficult to put into practice. In most cases, youth have number but they cannot make decision and they do not have links and connection. Migration Compact (23 objectives). Vatican supports this migration Compact. It help one to understand and law of moving of migrants between local international and local area.

CHAPTER TWO
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

2.1 Introduction

In this chapter, the personal reflections have been made on the three themes. They are “Young People and Missionary Discipleship”, “Young People and Digital World” and “Youth and Migration.” This part will reflect how these talks can help me to grow in my vocation.

2.2 “Young People and Missionary Discipleship” as a Aid to personal and vocational reflection

Youth Synod give importance to ‘walking together,’ ‘eyes were opened’ and ‘they left without delay.’ I greatly treasure these thoughts in my personal life because as a youth, I acknowledge the challenges of my youthful status. The challenges are also the reality. The realities are migration, abuse and the “throwaway culture” are in the society as I am part of the society. I am sure one or another way I have to face these problems directly or indirectly. I would like to recall the some of the important remedies discussed in the synod becomes aid also to face my day to day challenges. Those remedies are of; firm commitment for the adoption of rigorous preventive measures that will keep such abuse from being repeated, beginning with the selection and formation of those to whom leadership and educational roles are entrusted”. The world of art, music and sports is also discussed in terms of using them as “pastoral resources”. Synod also assures the Lord makes Himself present to shake off the “heavinesss and slowness.” Synod also show us a “sure compass” that is nothing but the gift of self that brings an authentic and lasting happiness. It reminds me that baptismal vocation is a call to holiness and development to vocation can be done through the accompaniment and discernment.

2.3 “Young People and Digital World” as Guide to Personal Discernment in the World

As I am now living in the digital world, I am sometimes lost. I appreciate the efforts of the church taking time to analyses the situation or the reality of the youth in the digital world. It is very difficult to realize oneself when one is caught up in the web of internet or the digital world. It is very easy to get the unwanted or stupid things in the digital world than the good things. I am deeply encouraged when church speak of the engaging herself in the world of social media where young people are and to tries to form missionaries for the digital world. It encourages me to be a youth in the digital world who is protagonist of freedom and responsibility in constructed way. It is very often heard that social media is bad. But when church tells that computer or phone is not good or bad, it is neutral, these word boosts me with the practical suggestion of proper usage of social media. It creates a positive attitude in me. Church also educated me now that social media or digital world can be used as tool in ‘Listening’ and ‘Conversion.’ Friendship as unity and solidarity can be explored here. Now I realized in my journey that Listening is fundamental and I need to find a way of expressing openness and showing it.

2.4 “Youth and Migration” as a Personal discernment in the midst challenges of the World

I understand how we as youths try to aspire, safeguard and to achieve success in life. We tries plan for our future. We are ready to take risk to achieve our goal in life. Migration is one of the risk that we take in life. We get into the migration process that confronts us with particular challenges and confers us to certain vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities include discrimination based on gender, migration status, ethnicity or religion; poor working conditions (often exacerbated by the relatively low levels of bargaining power and trade union membership among young migrant workers compared to their adult counterparts); lack of access to basic social services such as health; risks associated with sexual and reproductive health; and lack of social protection or loss of social protection entirely once the migration status of the young migrant changes (from student to graduate, for example). When we, youths are struck in these difficulties, the church assures us ‘new pastoral ministry for the young people in diaspora.’ The church reminds us that ‘Youth are not church of tomorrow but church of today and that God is eternally young that youth are here; this is their church.’ In this way it is assurance and encourage that church offers me in my vocational journey in Christian faith.

2.5 Conclusion

Of course the Symposium is very well done. Inputs and reflections were very meaningful intellectually and practically. The above discussions, suggestion, solutions and encouragements are only come into ground level by the free and willful participation by both the church at large and youth themselves. All of us should a step ahead voluntarily to make it a reality at International, national, local and ground level. It is the responsibility of the church and also of each one of us as a youth.

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PERSONAL REFLECTION ON “THE CHURCH LISTENS TO AFRICAN YOUTH”

PERSONAL REFLECTION ON “THE CHURCH LISTENS TO AFRICAN YOUTH”