Youth commission hopes new pope will listen to the youth

CEBU, Philippines - The National Youth Commission has high hopes for a good relationship that the youth can further have with the church with the election of a new pope.

After being elected last March 13 as the 266th pope of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis’ advocacies are taken as a good sign by the younger generation for them to be able to establish a better bond with the church.

NYC representative for the Visayas Asec. Erwin Chua Andaya said that like the other sectors, all they hope is for the youth’s presence and help in the community to be recognized.

Basing on the stories of Pope Francis’ humility, Andaya said that they are hopeful that this would be extended to the youth.

“As a person who is humble enough na mudoko man gani sa mga tawo, ato gilantaw siya pud muduko pud ug maminaw sa mga kabatan-onan. (As a person humble enough to bow down to the people, we hope that he will also listen to the youth.)”

Photos of Pope Francis have circulated showing his fondness for the poor and the sick by kneeling down and kissing the feet of AIDS-stricken patients and sick children.

Andaya admits that their generation can be a challenge to the church compared to the older generation which has established their devotion to their religion.

He added that the church would face the challenge of proving to the youth that the sector is relevant to them but he said that one way for the church to address this concern would be to listen to their problems.

“Paminawon nila ang problema sa mga batan-on, tagaan og pagtagad sa simbahan. That’s one way of getting our attention. (A church that will listen to the problems of the youth.)”

The younger generation, Andaya said, is mostly known for being idealistic and energetic. He said that if these traits would not be used in the right way and would not be guided well, it would be a threat to the lives of the youth.  NYC is the lead agency in the country responsible for formulating policies for the youth.  (FREEMAN)