| Monica O’Brien, of Willow Publishing, recently sent out an important letter from her heart on the Church and young people. With her permission, I am re-posting it here in the hope that is read widely. |
| Dear Friends,This email is long overdue. Recent conversations with young adults in the church have inspired me to share some personal reflections, with the hope of encouraging others to become advocates for young people who wish to belong to the church and contribute their gifts but often find limited support. Before stepping into my role as the Director of Willow Publishing, I spent more than two decades immersed in Youth Ministry. I was the first layperson to be employed by the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney and the first Director of Catholic Youth Service. Those years hold a special place in my heart. They were filled with meaningful events such as Today is Ours and Prophets of Hope Conferences, where thousands of young people from across Australia descended on the NSW University grounds for five days of learning, prayer and community building. Young adults enriched local parishes through their musical contributions and active participation in home prayer groups and youth and young adult groups. It was a vibrant period of spiritual exploration, ritual, music, creativity, and profound connection with God and one another. Despite the general acceptance of young people in their parishes, my fellow youth ministers and I frequently encountered challenges in securing the broader support of the Bishops and other church leaders. But even though young people were generally welcomed by their parishes, together with a small group of fellow youth ministers, we found ourselves constantly trying to enlist the wider supportof the Bishops and other church leaders. Fortunately, a few dedicated clergy members, including Bishop Geoffrey Robinson, Bishop Peter Ingram, and Bishop David Cremin, proved to be invaluable advocates. Key supporters like Sr Sonia Wagner, Br Graham Neist, and several other religious women and men also offered invaluable encouragement during this time. I’m filled with gratitude when I look back on the incredible mentors, leaders, supporters, and young people who influenced my personal and spiritual growth. The lessons I learned during that time continue to inspire me today, shaping my determination to hold on to hope and not lose faith. Recently, I’ve had conversations with numerous young people about their experiences with the church, and I couldn’t help but be disheartened by their stories of struggle and non-acceptance. Their unwavering faith in God is solid, but their trust in the authority and decision-makers within the church is nearly non-existent. I can empathise with their position. From my perspective, not much has changed over the years. In fact, at the risk of sounding controversial, I believe that the challenges have become even more formidable as we grapple with a conservative, top-heavy, male-dominated church structure. I’ve reached an age where I feel compelled to share my perspective, as I have nothing to lose. My heart aches for the young people who continue to grapple with finding a place of acceptance and belonging within a church that is often seen as judgmental. Those who are called to ministry encounter practical challenges and a lack of supportive resources, while the opportunities for young adults to openly discuss their spiritual journeys are limited. The individuals who established retreat teams within the church during my youth ministry days were typically religious men and women. However, many of them have passed on, leaving a void in the landscape of youth ministry. Today, young adults who feel called to youth or music ministry often find themselves responsible for advertising, administering, and funding their own ministry endeavours. This includes covering costs for office supplies, technical and musical equipment, accommodation, meals, and essential ministry resources. Gen Bryant, a faith-led Catholic singer-songwriter from Melbourne, along with her music ministry team, received an invitation to minister at World Youth Day in Portugal this year. Surprisingly, they had to cover their own expenses as the church didn’t provide any financial support. It’s disheartening to observe that while youth ministry leaders and attending Bishops had their travel, accommodation, and expenses covered, those contributing to the music ministry experience had to fund their own participation. I wonder also if they received the support and acknowledgement they deserved as I have not seen any media coverage of this outstanding testament to their talent and commitment. Merely claiming to support young people without offering substantial, dependable funding and moral and spiritual backing isn’t enough. We must actively strive to bridge the gap between our words and actions, ensuring that our support for young adults is not only vocal but also practical and meaningful. It’s my hope that we can work together to create a more inclusive and supportive environment within our faith communities. Let us encourage and uplift the young voices who bring fresh perspectives and renewed energyto the church. (Undoubtedly, the need for this has never been more critical than it is today.) By doing so, my prayer is that we can cultivate an atmosphere of acceptance, empathy, and genuine care, where every individual, irrespective of age or background, can experience a sense of belonging and foster a closer relationship with their Creator and with one another.  Publisher PS I have made a commitment to support young adults who are writing songs for the faith community. I can’t wait to see what the Spirit of God will do among our young people. Your support will be crucial. It will mean stepping beyond the usual repertoire and embracing new material. I hope you will come with me on this exciting journey. Blessings! |