ASIA/PAKISTAN - Bishops to young people: "Serve the Gospel with courage, as young missionaries"

Friday, 25 September 2020 mission   evangelization   youth   culture   society   ecclesial movements  

Multan (Agenzia Fides): "Pakistan is a Country that has more than 60 percent of young people of its total population, and we Catholic Bishops are working to support young Christians in Pakistan to be protagonists of the evangelizing mission, active members of ecclesial groups and movements, and courageously serve the Gospel and the Church as young missionaries": says Mgr. Samson Shukardin OFM, Bishop of Hyderabad and President of the Commission for Youth within the Bishops' Conference of Pakistan, to Agenzia Fides, addressing over 70 young people from the different dioceses who are participating in the four-day seminar entitled "Bible and Youth" at the Pastoral Institute of Multan. The biblical seminary (from 24 to 27 September) is organized by the "Catholic Bible Commission of Pakistan" and aims to help young people to deepen their faith and the Bible.
Bishop Shukardin says: "Young people are the strength of the Church. We want our young people to grow, we want to see them highly qualified, to excel in their professional life and apply for jobs in the government and public life sectors. We wish to accompany them on the journey to nourish their faith, while remaining in contact with the Church".
The Bishop observes: "Having more educated, qualified and professional young people is important. The growth and development of young people means growth and development of the Catholic community in Pakistan". "We also want young people to live a holy life - continues the Prelate - to live to be saints of modern times. This is possible only when we know and love Jesus Christ, working to grow in the relationship with Jesus. We must grow in our faith through the Eucharist, the Word of God and the Sacraments". The Bishop said to those present: "None of the Saints were born already holy: they all lived as disciples of Jesus Christ and, to be a disciple of Jesus, each of you is called to know Jesus Christ, to follow and imitate him".
Fr. Emmanuel Asi, Executive Secretary of the Biblical Commission, speaking to Fides, said: "With this seminar we intend to help young people to take root in the Word of God, teach them methods to read and meditate on the Word of God. The themes chosen will help them in growth and discernment, for the important decisions of their life". Quoting St. Jerome, adds Fr. Emmanuel Asi: "Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ. It is important that young people get into the habit of reading the Holy Bible every day and draw inspiration from it. The Word of God opens hearts and minds as happened to two disciples on the road to Emmaus". (AG-PA) (Agenzia Fides, 25/9/2020)


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