Representatives of Australian Catholic youth and young adult ministries are invited to take part in a consultation to explore the establishment of a new national network.
Hosted by the Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry (BCELM), with the Australian network of diocesan youth ministry coordinators (ANDYMC), the online event will take place on Thursday 25 November, from 7pm to 9pm AEDT.
Archbishop Christopher Prowse (BCELM Chairperson) and Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green OSPPE (Bishops Delegate for Youth) will participate in the consultation, which hopes to attract representatives from youth and young adult ministries in dioceses, religious orders, ecclesial communities, universities, schools, and organisations from around Australia.
Bishop Macbeth-Green said he hopes to welcome leaders of the diverse youth and young adult ministries from around Australia to explore how we can journey forward together.
‘Although challenging, the decision to close the ACBC youth council and office in late 2019 was made in the knowledge of the synodal strength of ministry with young people in Australia, established in a particular way through collaborations on the national youth festival and world youth days,’ he said.
‘The BCELM invited ANDYMC to consider establishing a national network for all youth and young adult ministries, building on this collegiality, to which they have been working for the past 18 months. When gathered, we will listen to each other and the Holy Spirit as we consider how to continue to build on the strength and diversity of our ministries in Australia.’
Peter Bierer, executive officer of ANDYMC, expressed his excitement at the prospect of this new synodal approach to youth ministry in Australia.
‘This consultation is an opportunity for youth and young adult ministries to reconnect nationally for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and discern a way of journeying together into the future,’ he said.
‘This collaboration with the BCELM and a newly established network is a great example of the co-responsibility and synodality prompted through the Plenary Council.’
The BCELM plans to work with the new network to support local resources and initiatives for the ongoing accompaniment of young people and growth of ministries in Australia.
To register your interest in participating in the consultation, visit www.nce.catholic.org.au/youth.
