India, Hong Kong cardinals share strategies for engaging young people

India, Hong Kong cardinals share strategies for engaging young people

Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao of Goa and Daman and Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan of Hong Kong. SYNOD.VA

By Roy Lagarde

October 23, 2024

ROME— Two Asian cardinals shared their experiences on engaging young people in parishes and spiritual life, emphasizing the significance of youth involvement and listening within the Church.

Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, the archbishop of Goa and Daman in India, highlighted a notable initiative in revitalizing parish participation during a period of decline.

Faced with dwindling involvement, a parish in Goa initiated the creation of youth ministry councils to address the issue.

Ferrao said the effort led to innovative ideas, including the formation of prayer groups and social events aimed at fostering a sense of belonging.

“This good practice [of] youth ministry councils enables the young people to have a voice in the activities in the ministries of the parish,” Ferrao said.

“It improved communication. It empowered the youth, enabled them to develop leadership skills and increased their active involvement in the life and the mission of the parish,” he said.

The incoming president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) also praised the initiative as a model for encouraging youth participation in parish life.

Meanwhile, Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan of Hong Kong highlighted how the synodal process has been embraced by the younger generation in his diocese.

Speaking on the importance of listening as part of the journey, he emphasized that fostering open dialogue is key to unity.

A major part of the process, according to him, has been training people in “conversation in the spirit,” which emphasizes active listening.

He pointed out that younger generations have been particularly receptive to this approach, while older parishioners have found it more challenging to adopt.

“This year is crucial,” Chow said. “Listening is the first act of synodality. If we don’t listen, we can’t truly walk together.”

The cardinal remains hopeful that through deeper listening and conversation, the Church in Hong Kong will continue to grow in unity and purpose, especially as it prepares for further direction from the synod.

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