Church Leaders Call for Greater Youth Engagement During AMECEA Plenary Sessions

The afternoon session of the first day of the 21st AMECEA Plenary Assembly featured a series of presentations focusing on youth, synodality, and the Church''s mission in Eastern Africa.

Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and Vatican''s representative to the Plenary delivered the keynote address, highlighting the Catholic Church''s social teaching on young people through various Papal encyclicals. He emphasized the importance of placing youth at the centre of the Church''s pastoral mission and reaffirmed the Church''s commitment to accompanying young people in their faith and daily lives.

Bishop George Lungu of the Diocese of Chipata, Zambia, presented a historical reflection on the evolution of AMECEA''s leadership. He observed that the founders of AMECEA embraced the principles of synodality long before they became a central focus of the universal Church, laying a strong foundation for collaborative leadership and shared mission in the region.

Later in the evening, Rev. Dr. Stephen Mbugua Karanja, a priest of the Archdiocese of Nairobi, delivered a presentation titled "Young People in Perspective: A Global and Regional Landscape." He noted that young people constitute the largest demographic in Eastern Africa and stressed that their aspirations, challenges, and contributions must remain central to the Church''s pastoral and development agenda.

Rev. Prof. Selvam Sahaya of Tangaza University also presented a paper titled "The Synod on Synodality: A Theological Reflection and Recommendations for Youth Ministry in the AMECEA Region." He urged the bishops and Church leaders to embrace a synodal approach by listening to, accompanying, and walking alongside young people as active participants in the life and mission of the Church.

The presentations formed part of the plenary''s ongoing discussions aimed at strengthening youth ministry and enhancing the Church''s pastoral response to the needs and aspirations of young people across the AMECEA region.