PNG and SI meeting challenge of pastoral care of youth

Tuesday, July 21st, 2015

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands have designated the Sunday after the feast of St. Maria Goretti and Blessed Peter ToRot as Youth Sunday in both countries.

Youth Sunday was celebrated for the first time on 12th July 2015.

Fr.Shanthi Chacko Puthussery Secretary of Commission for Youth and Laity says the pastoral care of young people is still a struggle because to traditional and cultural practices.

While the chief of the clan or the tribe have traditionally had the prominent role in leadership in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, the national government, provincial and local governments take the leadership role in today.

“Unfortunately, these leaders are not really concerned about the young people and their future,” says Fr Shanti.

He says there is an office for youth but they function on national and provincial levels in both countries.

“It has been the same with the Catholic Church, where much hard work and attempts have been done in the past.”

“Even today pastoral care of the young people is very minimal in the dioceses and not yet a prominent priority.”

However, after the World Youth Sydney 2008, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands appointed a full time Secretary for the Commission and his office was established in April 2011.

Diocesan Youth Coordinators and Fr. Shanthi have been having regular annual gatherings.

Source