AMERICA/HONDURAS - With gangs and violence among youth on the rise, the Church in Central America organizes an encounter on the issue

Tegucigalpa (Agenzia Fides) – With the goal of “discerning the light from the signs of the times and becoming aware of the insecurity and violence that has become a social phenomenon that arises from various causes, and in order to establish a committed effort that can offer hope to the youth, support for justice, reconciliation, and peace in the society of the Central America, Mexico, Panama, and the Caribbean,” an encounter will be held in Valle de Angeles in Tegucigalpa (Honduras) on the theme “Gangs and Youth Violence.” The encounter is being organized by the CELAM Department of Justice and Solidarity, and will extend until September 27.
The workshops will be given by the leaders of the Justice and Solidarity Offices of the various Bishops’ Conferences in Central America, as well as experts in youth social violence. The hope is that through this joint effort, in light of Aparecida, the people will be able to respond to this phenomenon of the gangs from an attitude of charity, integration, and missionary spirit.
The encounter has three parts: one in which there will be a sociological analysis in a social context. The second will be a pastoral reflection at the light of the Gospel and the Church’s social teaching, and the third, on guidelines for pastoral action, an operative plan, and several specific commitments. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 24/9/2008)