Synod
2018: Testimony of Percival Holt, Indian Catholic Youth Movement
‘Youth are like fire. We flame,
we bring light, give warmth but are also under the threat of getting
extinguished.’
Here is the testimony that
Percival Holt, National Youth President, of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement
[ICYM] – Conference of Catholic Bishops of India [CCBI] (India), present at the
Synod as Auditor, presented on October 16, 2018, during the 12th General
Congregation of the Synod:
Dear Holy Father Pope
Francis, Synodal Fathers and my fellow ministers in the mission of Christ.
I lead the Catholic Youth
of India as the National President of Indian Catholic Youth Movement under the
Bishops Conference of India.
“Youth are like fire. We
flame, we bring light, give warmth but are also under the threat of getting
extinguished. Today we are flickering, we may either blow off into the darkness
or blow up into wildfire to burn down everything. The church needs to kindle
these sparks into the right flames”.
In my life, at a point when
I was discerning my vocation to the priesthood, I had the wise guidance of a
Bishop and a few priests. In understanding faith beyond being a ritualistic
Christian, I had my youth director and some sisters who enabled me to fall in
love with Christ & his church and become a leader and inspiration to many.
But I also saw many young people who yearned for such consecrated persons in
their lives but could not find one. Many of them struggled in life, while
others have given up and some lost.
Young people today prefer
seeking assistance from others rather than consecrated people. I must not say,
but this needs to be addressed – many of our priests today are a poorer
inspiration than lay people. Understanding what is going wrong is crucial
before priests are reduced to meagre ritual-performers. Seminarians need to be
groomed to nurture and handle the challenges & psychology of young people
and extract the best out of them just as Jesus did with his disciples.
I belong to a country
where, in cities, young people are drawn towards fast money, growing corporate
culture and imitation of the western lifestyle, leading to increased addictions
and getting into quick relationships both physically and emotionally.
Whereas, in rural areas,
still lack of education, poverty, narrow-mindedness, oppression, anti-social
practices are quite prevalent.
We are growing in an
environment where high population dictates the norms of life and success,
consequently, extreme competition in education and career is making many
disappointed, depressed, mentally disturbed and also migrate in huge numbers.
Political chaos, corruption & communal disharmony is on the rise.
Young people are stretched
between design and desire, i.e. between what has been passed on and what we believe in. The
church has been shying away from giving us authentic expressions and
clarifications. Today, there is a plethora of information and awareness to
dilute traditional teachings and lifestyle. We need to have more open spaces
for community building and missionary experiences.
Young people have creative
ideas and are innovative. Giving them the opportunities to contribute, explore and gain
expertise is important, just as Jesus sent out his disciples to perform their
apostolic ministry, who returned overwhelmed with what they had achieved. And I
saw this true when 2 parish priests in my diocese entrusted the full
responsibility of the church construction to the youth group, who not only
supervised the work day & night but also creatively helped raise huge funds
and in cost-cutting.
I have 2 concrete
proposals:
1. The Holy See should ask
every country to hold a similar synod of all Bishops at the local level, in
order to discuss and pass on the deliberations & outcome of this synod to
every Bishop and draw a National pastoral plan for “youth ministry” in every
country.
2. We need to create more
organized forums for young people in parishes & institutions, catering to
holistic formation, providing opportunities for spiritual, social, educational,
skills & professional growth, under the leadership of young people itself
& mentorship of a Chaplin, in every diocese, under the aegis of the
bishops’ conference, that will create a network of young disciples and leaders
in the country.
I conclude by saying “we
young people are like Matthew and Paul, shrewd and frustrated but hollow
within, we seek a true shepherd who won’t distance us. We are like Mary
Magdalene & the Samaritan woman and like them, we too are physically,
sexually & emotionally disturbed and have broken relationships. We are seeking
living water from you. We are like Peter – timid, coward and selfish, but have
the potential to be foundation stones.
We are like Zacchaeus,
waiting to see the Messiah. Like him, we are corrupt in our day to day dealings
and live dubious lives. We cheat, hurt & hide from everyone and many times
we cheat our own self. We are hiding behind tattoos, piercings, fake smiles and
beautiful pictures over social media but we are lonely, lost and sad within. We
search Christ in the church”.
Thank You!
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