2018 Synod of Bishops on Young People

As the Synod of Bishops on “young people, the faith and vocational discernment” was continuing at the Vatican, the pope tackled some of the synod’s key questions when he met Oct. 13 with seminarians from the Lombardy region of northern Italy.

Improved religious education and a stronger sense of belonging to a community were some of the topics touched upon as the Synod of Bishops moved into its final round of speeches.

In their second round of reports to the Synod of Bishops, a number of working groups called for qualified and, in some way, supervised spiritual mentors or directors, recommended including more female figures from the Bible as examples and role models for young people, and praised having the inspiring input of young people during the gathering.

The Catholic Church must be a place of justice and mercy, and its members must be catalysts for change, some young observers said at the Synod of Bishops Oct. 11.

Even on the ninth day of the 25-day-long Synod of Bishops on young people, the faith and vocational discernment, two bishops said they already had ideas for things they would want to start in their ministries.

Bishop Mark O’Toole of Plymouth, England, Oct. 11, told the synod, “credibility and authenticity are crucial” and young people want to know what the church is doing to prevent clerical sexual abuse.

Church leaders and members need to be “spiritual mentors” — like Jesus and the saints — befriending, accompanying and enriching the lives of young people, one U.S. observer told the Synod of Bishops.

At a Synod of Bishops where “cultural shift,” “epochal change” and “massive challenge” are almost buzz phrases, Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg said, “I’m very optimistic.”