‘MOVE BEYOND YOUTH EVENTS TO GENUINE ACCOMPANIMENT WITH THE YOUTH,’ KENYAN-BASED BISHOP RT. REV. HENRY JUMA CALLS ON THE EAST AFRICAN CHURCH
As the 21st AMECEA Plenary enters its third day at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), with more than 130 bishops gathered from across Eastern Africa, one group remains firmly at the center of the deliberations, the young people.
Speaking in an interview during of the plenary, the Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) Commission for the Youth Apostolate, Rt. Rev. Henry Juma of the Catholic Diocese of Kitale, called on the Catholic Church in Eastern Africa to move beyond organizing occasional youth events and instead build a culture of continuous accompaniment that gives young people a meaningful voice in the life and mission of the Church.
“The Church’s commitment to young people must go far beyond hosting youth gatherings and instead focus on listening, mentoring and involving them in decision-making,” he said. “The most important thing is that we are here to listen to our young people. They should not simply become implementers of decisions made by others but must become part and parcel of the decision-making process in the Church.”
His Lordship was reflecting on this year’s AMECEA Plenary theme, “AMECEA’s Synodal Journey with Young People: Building Bridges of Communion, Hope, Justice and Good Governance,” which has placed young people at the centre of discussions among bishops from the region.
According to Bishop Juma, the synodal journey challenges the Church to become more inclusive by intentionally listening to young people and empowering them to contribute to pastoral life.
“We have listened to them over the past days, and we continue listening to them because we want a vibrant Church, one that listens to young people and allows them to participate in shaping its mission,” he said.
The bishop noted that while thousands of young people gathered for the AMECEA Youth Mass and Extravaganza, such celebrations should never be mistaken for the entirety of youth ministry.
“The convention is only the apex,” he explained. “The real work begins in our parishes, Small Christian Communities, schools and families, where priests and pastoral agents accompany young people spiritually and morally. These gatherings celebrate what has already been nurtured at the grassroots.”
He emphasized that the Church’s pastoral responsibility is to ensure the enthusiasm witnessed during major gatherings translates into lifelong discipleship through consistent mentorship, spiritual formation and pastoral care.
“Our accompaniment must continue every day. When we meet at national or regional events, we celebrate our faith, but afterwards we continue walking with our young people so that they become people of communion, hope, integrity and good governance,” he added.
The Kitale based prelate said the KCCB Commission for the Youth Apostolate, established about one and a half years ago, was created specifically to strengthen that accompaniment. Bringing together bishops, diocesan and university chaplains, as well as representatives from Youth Serving Christ (YSC), Young Catholic Adults (YCA) and university students, the commission ensures young people participate directly in discussions affecting them. He added that it has already developed four youth formation manuals tailored to different age groups to deepen faith formation.
Addressing emerging challenges, Bishop Juma underscored the importance of digital evangelization.
“The content never changes because Jesus Christ never changes,” he said. “What changes is how we communicate that message.”
He disclosed that the commission is engaging young people to become digital missionaries and content creators capable of using technology and artificial intelligence responsibly to proclaim the Gospel, defend human dignity and promote justice online.
Acknowledging that many young people continue to grapple with unemployment, mental health challenges, identity crises, weakening faith formation and the influence of secular culture, Bishop Juma said these realities challenge the Church to deepen youth formation while empowering young people to become missionaries to their peers.
“The faith formation of our young people is very important. It guarantees both the present and the future of the Church,” he emphasized.
His message echoed the remarks delivered during the Youth Extravaganza by Bishop Peter Kimani, Vice Chairman of the KCCB Commission for the Youth Apostolate, who reminded participants that they are not simply the future of the Church but its present.
“You are the Church of today. Your voices matter. Your gifts matter. Your participation matters,” Bishop Kimani said, encouraging them to become builders of communion, hope, justice and good governance.
Young Catholic Adults Moderator from the Archdiocese of Nairobi, Veronica Mumbi, also appealed to Church leaders to continue mentoring young people and entrusting them with greater responsibility.
“We are asking you to work with us, trust us with responsibility, mentor us through failure and build the bridge from both sides,” she said.
