Catholic Youth in Zimbabwe Urged to “make good options” for the Good of the Church

By Silas Isenjia

Bulawayo, 17 November, 2022 / 8:50 pm (ACI Africa).

An Archbishop in Zimbabwe has called on Catholic youth in the Southern African country to make good life choices “for the betterment of the whole Church”.

In a Thursday, November 17 report, Archbishop Alex Thomas Kaliyanil of Bulawayo Archdiocese also calls on the youth in Zimbabwe to remain steadfast in faith and stop shifting from church to church under the pretext that “the Catholic Church was not addressing their needs”.

“Accept the challenge of decision making, make good options and plan ahead for the betterment of the whole Church,” Archbishop Kaliyanil told Catholic youth leaders during their Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The member of the Society of Divine Word (SVD) added during Holy Mass held at St. Mary's Cathedral of Bulawayo Archdiocese, “Before you go to the internet for uncle google, look for wise people who can help you if you are in trouble otherwise you will be misled.”

The Archbishop of Bulawayo urged the Catholic youth from the eight Dioceses in the Southern African nation to found their lives on Christian faith and to be prayerful.

“Young people, you should stand firm in your faith. Some young people have moved from one church to the other, from one pastor to the other citing that the Catholic Church was not addressing their needs. Be constant in prayer and never give up,” the 62-year-old Indian-born Archbishop said.

The Catholic Church leader who has been at the helm of Bulawayo Archdiocese since 2009 also urged the “young people to know and love the Church and to invite others to the Catholic faith.”

Catholic Youth leaders from the eight Dioceses in Zimbabwe held their AGM from November 11-13 to plan for and evaluate their programs. 

During the AGM, the over 50 members of the youth council deliberated on ways of transforming the youth ministry based on Pope Francis’ Apostolic exhortation on the proclamation of the Gospel today, Evangelii Gaudium, and the Holy Father’s post-synodal apostolic exhortation to young people, Christus Vivit.

Speaking on the first day of the AGM held at Isinga Youth Centre in Bulawayo, the Youth National Coordinator, Fr. Johane Maseko, emphasized the importance of the Sacrament of Baptism in the Christian journey.

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“We must have an understanding of the meaning of Baptism and know the impact or effect it has on each one of us. Baptism is a Sacrament which unlocks the door to all Sacraments,” Fr. Maseko has been quoted as saying in the report. 

He added in reference to Baptism, “It is the Sacrament of all Sacraments in that, it is the beginning of the journey of being God’s children. Hence, it makes us children of God and makes one receive an indelible identity.”

The Catholic Priest also spoke about the transformative nature of Baptism as one of the Sacraments of Initiation, saying, “This privilege changes one in behavior and attitude.  It sets us on a journey whose destination is eternal life.”

Fr. Maseko continued, “Missionary is born from baptism and sending is living our baptismal identity.”

“A missionary is not only an expatriate person. Every Catholic baptized is a missionary by nature as baptism sets them on a mission to enrich the world and not to remain just a mere Christian,” Fr. Maseko is quoted as saying in the November 17 report.

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Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.