Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. The Youth Pastoral Coordination of Congo Independent Delegation organized a conference for the young people of the Claretian parishes under the care of the Delegation in past weeks. It took place in two different areas; one was held in the Kinshasa-Kwilungo axis at Saint Mathew Parish in Mikonga; and the other was carried out in the Kikwit axis (Kindi, Kingandu, Paykongila) at Basantu Bonso Parish in Pay-kongila.
Fr. Aimée Nzuzi Nketi, CMF, the resource person, entitled the conference “Young people, live your Catholic Christian identity in a globalized society and a synodal Church.” Current ecclesial events inspire the title of this theme, in particular, the preparatory synod of bishops.
Fr. Aimée, knowing the current situation of young people in Africa, articulated two points for the participants to reflect on. The first point deals with the demands of today’s world that young people face, and the second is looking at the mission of young people in a synodal Church.
“The mission of today’s young people is to evangelize, announce, and proclaim,” he said.
He told the youth to remember what Benedict XVI emphasized: “it is the love of Christ that fills our hearts and moves us to evangelize.” The young Catholic Christian must announce the reign of God, and he must announce what he heard, believes, received, and professed: the Good News of salvation, by his words and actions. The young Catholic Christian must denounce everything that degrades and oppresses man.
Lastly, the participants were challenged to be “present” because Christ’s presence in the world also invites us to be present in the world, not to do nothing, but to speak and act.
