“We don’t want a modern or technological Church, but a Church that knows how to speak a simple language, close to the life of ordinary people”. To puncture one of the most widespread stereotypes of the young, the one that paints them as “Internet dependent”, was Simonetta Saveri, youth delegate of the CEI, in speaking at the 10th Symposium of European bishops recently held in Rome (until 28 April) on the theme: “Youth of Europe in the process of change. Laboratory of the faith”. “We in the Church are the ‘good kids’, those who work everyday together with other young people, but here we also represent those outside ecclesial circles”, added Simonetta. She also admitted that “it’s not always easy to communicate with the bishops who devote themselves to the young; at times we are almost afraid to speak to them, and if that’s so for us, just think what it’s like for young people who don’t go to church…”. The youth of today, contrary to what is commonly thought, are satisfied with very little, added Davide Biliardi, of the Focolare Movement: “You, on this occasion, have taken the first step; we, after gestures like this, are ready to repeat it a thousand times…”. And in speaking of the Polish Church’s dedication to the young, Msgr. Mieczyslaw Cislo, auxiliary bishop of Lublin, said: “After World Youth Day in Paris we promoted meetings for youth in ever quarter, for a year and a half; a similar initiative followed up the WYD in Rome, after which the young (but also men of culture, social and political exponents) were called to meet together, in monthly meetings, for the duration of a year. Now it’s the turn of the WYD in Toronto, in which some 3,500 young Poles will participate”.
