Challenges to be accepted

A pragmatic approach to life: this was the outcome of a survey conducted on young Catholics by Heidelberg’s Sinus Institute presented in Cologne on March 31st by the German Catholic Youth Federation (Bdkj) and by Misereor, the charity organization of the Catholic Church. Special emphasis was placed on the youth’s attitude vis à vis religion and the Church. The pilot study examined 132 youth, divided into three age groups: 14-19, 20-27, and for the first time even children aged 9-13.Many different kinds of youth. The survey highlighted the existence of many different “kinds” of youth, according to their specific environment. Different youth united by the use of communication technologies, Internet above all. “Digital communication” is a primary form of “sociality” and “coexistence”. At the same time opposing trends were registered, like a “slowing-down” process, and widespread diffusion of post-modern periodicals in printed form. On the whole, the interviewed youth displayed a primary interest for external looks, the seek of beauty. A pragmatic perspective, guided towards a goal in life was another outstanding feature. Seeking what is “just” and “true” was expressed by most. Spirituality is viewed with a positive outlook. And what about the Church? The Catholic Church is widely known and mostly attracts youth from traditional, middle-class and traditional backgrounds, amounting to a quarter of the youth. In other contexts, representing 39% of interviewees, which according to the survey are bound to gain further relevance, such as those of experimentalists, contacts with the Catholic Church are only occasional ones. This figure was explained as follows: “pragmatism, affinity with technology and the media, along with a joyful and cognizant approach to life, triggers expectations from the Church which the youth do not see fulfilled according to their criteria”. Although they are aware that they would find aspects they would identify with and be involved in different projects, these young people prefer socializing in other organizations. An evolving pastoral care. “Catholic pastoral care for the youth is in constant evolution and we willingly face challenges. These results represent a good analysis tool which will enable us to address different environments in the future”, sai Dirk Tänzler, Federal President of the Bdkj. “Analyzing the youth always gives us a possible scenario of how future society might be shaped”. The Federation, representing 650,000 young people, views the survey’s data as a “treasure”, since they are a possible key to approach the youth. “The survey confirms the value of pastoral care for youth in society”, notwithstanding a renewed need to “to identify methods and languages that will reach the youth”. “Free spaces are necessary to implement new forms of mission”, he remarked. Therefore, “the results” of the survey “will have to serve as a stimulus for the entire Church”. “The survey represents a means to continue our work”. Five days will be devoted in the month of April to the survey’s presentation throughout Germany. These will represent the initial moments to acquire new impetus and identify the opportunities to implement youth pastoral care.