Help young people encounter Christ, new nuncio urges US bishops

November 15, 2016

In his first address to the bishops of the United States, the new apostolic nuncio emphasized the importance of outreach to youth.

Recalling that the topic of the next Synod of Bishops is “youth, faith, and vocational discernment,” Archbishop Christophe Pierre told the bishops, who are meeting in Baltimore, that “a new language, new methods, and a new missionary ardor is necessary so that each young person may experience tangibly the mercy of God.”

“Our methods of evangelization require a profound reconsideration to see whether they are effectively communicating the authentic Christian experience - with closeness, simplicity, warmth and transparency,” he said. “Many young people are not allergic to the truths of the faith or to the Church, but they simply don’t know anything or know very little about the faith.”

Calling for a pastoral accompaniment of young people in which listening plays a large part, he concluded:

We are encouraged, as the Pope constantly reminds us, to be a truly outgoing, missionary Church, shining brightly like a star leading young people on their journey to encounter the true light. The Church must be a strong voice in this world, especially for the young, and echo the words of the Merciful Father to the elder son, “You are with me always and everything I have is yours.”

 

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Further information:

• USCCB General Assembly November 2016 - Address of the Apostolic Nuncio (USCCB)