Message from the Bishop of Clogher

In my series of meetings with members of our parishes last year, a recurring theme was the question of finding ways and means to adequately meet the needs of young people to be actively involved in the life of the Church at every level - personal, local and universal. I see this initiative of the Pope John Paul II Award as a practical, immediate and hands-on response to this need.

We often give in to the notion that prayer or matters of morality outside the church building are somehow for older people only and inappropriate for youth. This is to do young people a serious injustice. It is to encourage them to keep their light hidden, to keep their deepest hopes and aspirations under wraps. Young people need to bring their good will for Christ and his message to the surface, to talk about it more, to grow in being self-critical, to give good example in front of others.

The second quality our young people need is to develop the skills of Christian leadership. Leadership in today's world is about bringing people with us, through discussion and communication generally. It is about sharing our vision with others in such a way as to persuade them. It is about knowing our peers through working with them and discovering their strengths and weaknesses. It is about leaving nobody out, about seeking and accepting help from whatever source, provided we know what we want.

There is a world out there waiting to be changed for the better.

Bail ó Dhia ar an obair.

+ Joseph Duffy
Bishop of Clogher

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