Bandung (AsiaNews) - The bishop of Bandung Johannes Pujasumarta Pr organized a workshop 4 to 6 October last, where all the priests of the diocese met to discuss the pastoral care of Catholic youth. The meeting was intended to focus attention on increasing growth of certain phenomena: interfaith marriage, drug abuse, premarital sex and tuberculosis. The seminar proved to be an effective tool to stimulate and encourage the priests in the development of a sector - the spiritual care of the young - that the Church has overlooked.
Mgr. Pujasumarta said: "Young people expect to see the more personal side of the priests must a priest must inspire trust, be friendly, humble, and able to recognize his won faults. These things – he added - are fundamental. The priest must be a guide for young people, involve them in church activities, and devote time and attention to them as individuals. "
The bishop then shared his personal experience as an educator with seminarians from 1970 to 1983 and from 1990 to 1998. "When I became master of novices in the diocese of Semarang - he said - I felt compelled to share my mission to train these young men to the priesthood, and teach them to work for the poor and marginalized. Young Catholics should be encouraged to practice the love of Christ dedicated to others. "
Fr. Aaron Osc, one of the participants in the seminar, voiced his doubts and difficulties in bringing adults and young people together in a single pastoral mission. A young activist from the Diocese of Bandung, responded by emphasizing the ingrained paternalistic attitude of priests, who often find it difficult to create a welcoming atmosphere in the parish. Instead there is a need for a change in attitude on the part of ministers of the Church.
During the meeting, the bishop also reminded all participants that today no parish can be called "unitary": "Thousands of young Catholic migrants from all over the country came to our diocese and are now part of our community. Catholics from Java, North Sumatra, Borneo, Flores, Papua have come here to Bandung and they need our pastoral touch. "
Mgr Pujasumarta at the conclusion of the seminar, said: "Our church should be more outward looking, rather than fall back on itself in the realization of Christ's love among men, taking into account differences of religion, culture and poverty. "