The English bishops, in describing the religious convictions of the young in the UK, speak of a Christian “affinity” and “points of contact” with those who live “implicitly in a Christian way though without any explicit Christian faith, practice and membership”. But they also point out the “sensation” that this “Christian background is a minority option”. “Persuading people to belong” rather than “convincing them to believe” is the most difficult task of the work of evangelization; and to this end “extraordinary events” such as those of pilgrimages, World Youth Days and residential centres for the young may be experiences that have a lasting effect. Also essential is the meeting with the Gospel, promoted by the “witness of chaplains in schools and universities” and of other young people, “such as those of the diocesan youth centres”, who “give proof of an active faith” and “bear witness to the joy and vitality of the Christian life”. Young people must also be guided to reflect “in a reasonable and well-pondered way” on some problems on which they could feel in tune with the Church’s teaching: in particular the “role of women” and “teaching in the moral sphere”. The bishops, however, point out that, in guiding the young, “witnesses more than teachers” are necessary: witnesses capable of “forming friendships and building communities”, and listening to the experiences of others. “The formation of the laity”, as indicated by John Paul II, and the deepening of the faith and spirituality of all young Christians, are necessary for the journey of faith, to which a significant contribution may be given by Catholic schools and educational institutions. “There does not exist point out those in charge of the youth apostolate a single response for everyone in the journey of faith; the responses need to be tailor-made in a personalized fashion and be adapted to the “various situations of individuals and local communities”.
