Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) – In the present social context, dominated by globalization, young people are facing the challenge of a market which, taken to extremes, leads to a spiritual and moral lack, emotional discomfort, and even suicide. Thus, there is an increasing urgency that requires a youth ministry adequate to meet the needs of contemporary youth. These are the reasons that led the Youth Office of the Department for the Laity and the Family of the FABC (Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences) to promote the meeting of Asian youth ministry leaders to "discuss the development and consolidation of youth ministry in Asia, especially in the area of East Asia, through the Asian Youth Day," as Msgr. Roland J. Tria Tirona, Chairman of the Department, explains.
According to reports from the Kong Ko Bao (the Chinese version of the diocesan bulletin), 15 Asian youth ministry leaders from Japan, Mongolia, Philippines, Macao, and Taiwan, together with their colleagues in Hong Kong, took part in 3 days of workshops carried out in the Diocese of Hong Kong in recent days. According to Fr. Paul Kam Po Wai, delegate from the Diocese of Hong Kong, "having a similar culture can help us to share resources in order to explore the possibility of training and of a common ministry." Furthermore, "the Church must also consolidate the preparation of youth ministry leaders to make a full-time pastoral service that best meets the challenges of our time." (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 22/04/2010)
