AFRICA/BURKINA FASO - Young people from Burkina Faso and Niger are also bewitched by smartphones

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - "I believe that the Synod will be of great benefit to the young people of Burkina Faso and Niger" said His Exc. Mgr. Gabriel Sayaogo, Bishop of Manga (Burkina Faso), representing Burkina Faso and Niger at the XV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops with the theme "Young people, faith and vocational discernment".
In presenting the situation of young people in Burkina Faso and Niger, the Bishop of Manga said that "the first challenge is that of work. Young people who have managed to do a fairly acceptable educational path and get a diploma do not find a job".
The second challenge is the educational one. The quality of school education in Burkina Faso is lowered by the proliferation of private schools and institutes, which have "appeared like mushrooms after the rain", said Mgr. Sayaogo, that aim at the number of members more than the quality of teaching. A problem that challenges the Church that seeks to ensure adequate education for all.
"I believe that the Catholic Church in Burkina Faso and Niger is working hard so that its nursery, primary, secondary schools and university can really absorb as many students as possible", says Mgr. Sayaogo.
Another challenge for both Countries is religious practice. "Today we are in a world where religious confessions and philosophical tendencies are constantly born. When young people do not have a strong and serious support, they tend to listen to these promoters of happiness, and this constitutes a danger for them" says the Bishop of Manga.
The proliferation of social media naturally also reached the young people of the two Countries. "Today - says Mgr. Sayaogo, everyone has access to cell phones. We must recognize that the digital world has entered the life of our youth. We have nicknamed the youth "the low head generation". The are absorbed by their mobile phones all the time, even during meetings. Some answer the phone during Mass".
The delegate of the Burkina-Niger Bishops Conference finally welcomed the fact that the young people of Burkina Faso and Niger, pending the conclusions of the Synod, recently held a meeting to discuss their future. Mgr. Sayaogo is pleased with this initiative which shows the maturity and determination of the young. "I told them that with the creation of an Episcopal Commission for young people in our Conference, it means that together with Christ we are ready to take up the challenge". (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 23/10/2018)

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