End Exploitation of Youths "for selfish and political gain," Eastern Africa's Catholic Bishops Urge Political Leaders
Catholic Bishops of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) have urged political leaders across the region to stop using young people as tools for political interests, calling instead for leadership that inspires hope and advances policies that uphold the dignity and wellbeing of the youth.
Appeal to governmentsIn their communiqué, the AMECEA Bishops renew their appeal to governments and public authorities to strengthen policies that respond to the needs and aspirations of young people. "We welcome your partnership and renew our appeal for policies that uphold human dignity, expand holistic education, create an enabling environment for entrepreneurship, decent work, safe migration and civic participation for young people, and for the political will to resolve conflicts through dialogue," they state. Credit: ACI Africa/AMECEAEarlier in the communiqué, the AMECEA Bishops also welcomed thegovernment of Kenya's pledgeofcontinued partnershipwith the Catholic Church in its apostolic mission of "Building Bridges of Communion, Hope, Justice and Good Governance for the benefit of our nation, region and humanity. "(Story continues below)Credit: ACI Africa/AMECEAAppeal to Catholics and partnersThe AMECEA Bishops also call upon Catholics throughout the Eastern Africa region to give young people a greater place in the life of the Church. Credit: ACI Africa/AMECEA"Embrace young people as partners in mission. Open your parishes, Small Christian Communities and diocesan structures to their voice and leadership, and accompany them with patient, sound catechesis rooted in Christ, enriched by Catholic Social Teaching," they say. The Catholic Church leaders further invite ecumenical and interreligious communities, the corporate world, and development partners to support young people by helping build "the pastoral, psycho-social, educational and digital structures our young people need to thrive. "Credit: ACI Africa/AMECEA“You are, already, its present”In their communiqué, the AMECEA Bishops conclude with a direct message to young people across Eastern Africa, saying, "You are not merely the future of the Church and of society; you are, already, its present. "Credit: ACI Africa/AMECEAInvoking Saint Paul's exhortation to Timothy, they say, "Let no one look down on you because of your youth, but be an example in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity (cf. 1 Tim 4:12). "The Catholic Church leaders continue, "We invite you, in the spirit of synodality, to walk with Jesus as the disciples did on the road to Emmaus (cf. Lk 24:13–35): let your hearts burn within you as the Scriptures are opened to you, recognise the Lord in the breaking of the bread, and then rise, as they did, to go and share what you have seen and heard. "Credit: ACI Africa/AMECEA"And walk with us, your Bishops," the AMECEA Bishops appeal to young people in the Eastern Africa region. ACI Africa was founded in 2019. We provide free, up-to-the-minute news affecting the Catholic Church in Africa, giving particular emphasis to the words of the Holy Father and happenings of the Holy See, to any person with access to the internet. ACI Africa is proud to offer free access to its news items to Catholic dioceses, parishes, and websites, in order to increase awareness of the activities of the universal Church and to foster a sense of Catholic thought and culture in the life of every Catholic.