In the face of increasing secularization and shifting cultural norms, youth ministry's role in shaping the church's future has never been more crucial, said Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Antonio Tobias.
(Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Antonio Tobias/Photo from CBCP)
"If you disregard them, you disregard the future of culture and the future of the church," Tobias said in a statement from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Aug. 4.
Bishop Tobias, who is currently attending the World Youth Day (WYD) celebrations in Lisbon, Portugal, stressed the need to recognize the value of young individuals, regardless of any secularist tendencies they might exhibit.
"Even if they show a secularist attitude, let us not abandon them," Tobias said.
He even noted that young people "are somebody to care for."
The bishop urged fellow bishops, priests, and lay people to prioritize the care and guidance of families, especially the youth.
At the age of 82, he is among the seven bishops from the Philippines attending the WYD—an event with the largest number of nationalities present worldwide.
This marks his tenth participation in the event, emphasizing his commitment to engaging with and supporting the younger generation.
Furthermore, Bishop Tobias encourages the church to confront contemporary issues that directly impact young Catholics, such as what he called the "sexual revolution."
"It's everywhere, so the Church will have to face that whether you like it or not," Tobias added. (Rhowen Del Rosario)