AFRICA/KENYA - The diocese of Ngong promotes the Year of Youth: "Be strong in faith, do not be afraid"

Friday, 16 February 2018 youth faith synod of bishops local churches

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Ngong (Agenzia Fides) - The diocese of Ngong has announced the celebration of the Year of Youth whose theme is: "You are the Light of the world". As Fides learns, the idea of the local Church comes in view of the XV General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, dedicated to young people, to be held next October 2018. "To promote a special Year of Youth is the logical consequence of apostolic work which started with the celebration, in 2017, of the Year of Children as God’s gift and blessing", declared Mgr. John Oballa Owaa, Bishop of Ngong, in a note from the diocese sent to Agenzia Fides.
On the occasion of the Mass celebrated to launch the initiative, Bishop Oballa, who is also vice president of the Bishops' Conference of Kenya, highlighted the reason why Pope Francis promoted the next Synod on the faith of the young, stressing that "young people have enthusiasm, hope and are full of joy and their heart desires to know the truth".
"The ideal of the young is to witness the Gospel in a more just and free society and the Holy Father wonders how they can announce to the world the good news of joy and how they can play an active role in being announcers of this Good News" , said Mgr. Oballa.
"Young people need to see how Christ does things: this will enable them to learn how to discern, to know their own vocation, whether it is marriage or consecrated life or priesthood. Through faith they will be able to know how to make decisions and make wise choices for their lives", he added.
During the celebrations the "instruments of evangelization" such as a Holy Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Holy Rosary and a candle ready to be used to accompany young people throughout the year were blessed. The Bishop emphasized that "there are many places, opportunities and sources that young people can use to discern God's plan for their lives", such as studying the Bible, liturgy, participation in the activities of the Christian community, pilgrimage to the holy places. The hymn for the Year of Youth, in Swahili language reads: "Simama imara katika imani, usiogope", which means "Be strong in faith, do not be afraid".
In 2016, 450 people were baptized in the diocese of Ngong, which has a population of 1704 thousand and 200 thousand Catholics. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 16/2/2018)