East African Bishops Make Young People a Four-Year Pastoral Priority

NAIROBI — Catholic bishops from Eastern Africa have declared young people a pastoral priority for the next four years, committing the regional Church to stronger engagement, participation and accompaniment.

The commitment was announced by Bishop Charles Kasonde, chairman of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa, during the opening of AMECEA's 21st plenary assembly in Kenya.

Bishop Kasonde said the decision was intended to demonstrate that young people are worth sustained investment and to help them develop a stronger sense of belonging within the Church. He also described young people as important to the continuation of evangelisation and Catholic life across the region.

Youth representatives attending the plenary called for genuine inclusion in Church decision-making. They said young people were sometimes invited only after important decisions had already been made and asked to participate in shaping policies rather than merely implementing them.

Discussions also addressed identity, education, employment, digital culture and the difficulties young adults experience while trying to find their place within both Church and society. Young delegates asked Church leaders to listen, understand their experiences and accompany them through increasingly complex social pressures.

Church institutions and partner organisations have expressed support for initiatives that treat youth as active participants in evangelisation, social transformation and community development. Caritas Africa and the Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa pledged to collaborate with AMECEA on youth-centred pastoral work.

The declaration is an important direction, but it is not yet a detailed four-year implementation plan. Member episcopal conferences will need to establish budgets, leadership structures, safeguarding standards and measurable objectives.

Success should be assessed by whether young people receive real representation in Church bodies, access to trained mentors, opportunities for leadership and practical support in areas such as education, employment and mental wellbeing.

The bishops' commitment will carry greater credibility where young people are invited to co-design programmes and evaluate whether those initiatives meet their actual needs.

Source: AMECEA; Vatican News