Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Port Moresby (Fides Service) - During a recent Retreat to conclude a year of preparation in view of World Youth Day a group of young Catholics from Port Moresby, capital of Papua New Guinea, reflected on God’s love for all humanity, his immense gift of self in the Eucharist, his mercy and his call to every Christian to strive for holiness and engage in mission. The young people gathered at Emmaus Retreat House in Boroko run by the Saleisan Fathers to listen to the Word of God, pray together, and share thoughts and hopes. They also discussed the situation of young people in PNG and how to evangelise among young people of their own age who have yet to encounter Christ.
In Papua New Guinea there is a growing problem of juvenile delinquency which is a cause of concern for civil and Church authorities. In towns like Port Moresby, Lae and Mt Hagen, gangs of “raskols”, terrorise the local people with repeated acts of violence. Most of the young people are without work and they cannot find a place in society.
The way to solve the problem the Salesian Fathers say is to provide these young delinquents with sound formation in the values of respect, love and solidarity and help them engage in positive socialisation and in this activity the Church is in front line. The local Church works with various activities of youth pastoral, school education and professional training to guarantee young people a healthy atmosphere in which to cultivate sound values on which to build life and become good citizens.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 12/7/2005 lines 23 words 235)
