3) In our previous Editorial we said that the oral catechism given by Bishops to the young people –as an element contributing to the success of the WYD— did not lack good intentions, but that it could pose difficulties, or even minimally fail to produce any fruit. We related this issue to the important pastoral problem of preaching in general. To all this, we must add the known fact that the proclamation of the Gospel by the Spanish ecclesiastical Hierarchy of today has so far not yielded any satisfactory results.

          What we have just said is a notorious fact, well known to all the Faithful, and, therefore, we would not need to provide particular instances to support this statement. Nevertheless, given the importance of this issue, in the spirit of constructive rather than negative criticism –and always with due respect to the Hierarchy—, it might be worthwhile to comment, by way of illustration, on some events which have recently taken place in the Spanish ecclesiastical milieu.

          A good Bishop, well-known to the Spanish faithful, who enjoys a well-deserved reputation of  being an honest and pious man—not to mention the courage that he has shown in accepting the very arduous task entrusted to him— recently presided over a Gathering for the Youth of his diocese. In his address, the Bishop encouraged them –using a sort of slogan—to fight for the eradication of violence against women. A noble cause, to be sure…, but which, nevertheless, has the markings of one preaching in the desert; in this case, though, a veritable desert, that is, with totally different results from those achieved by the preaching of the Precursor. Actually, the theme of the Bishop’s address does not seem to be poignant enough to thrill and inspire the young people of today.

          First, because today’s youth cares very little about violence in general: violence against women; violence suffered by those children who are not allowed to be born; violence exerted against parents who are not permitted to educate their children according to their own beliefs; violence inflicted upon so many families, victims of terrorist attacks; violence which the Spanish Catholics must put up with because they are relentlessly persecuted by a Government set on eradicating every last trace of Christianity in civil society;  violence endured by so many families which are now destitute thanks to politicians who govern according to absurd, irrational, and ideological criteria…

          On the other hand, it is true that these as well as many other problems should concern the youth of today –in reality, the youth of all times. Nevertheless, being realistic, we must honestly admit that, at least for the most part, they couldn’t care less about such problems. Some may argue that, precisely on account of this fact, we must awaken their conscience so that they confront these problems. Truly so, but, in any case, a good pastoral Shepherd cannot ignore that starting with violence against women might not be very practical.

          Besides, our good Bishop seems to have forgotten –not intentionally, of course—that the problem of violence against women, which, in many cases truly occurs, is one of the favorite slogans used by the Feminist Movements, which do not give a hoot about women but which know how to use such slogans –especially the one about violence—as a weapon to destroy them. This, in turn, is only the first step in achieving the dissolution of the family, the fundamental base for Christian formation.

          Pastoral activity is always a delicate task which involves many responsibilities; but it turns out to be more difficult when it comes to Pastoral activities with the youth. In any case, a serious Pastoral agenda concerning young people should be realistic and willing to ponder the following considerations –at least, whether they are true or perhaps unfounded.

a)    The young people are deserting.  Massive Assemblies, Gatherings, and Days could contribute –with no malice on anyone’s part—to hide or dissimulate this reality with a smoke screen.  Skeptics on this point can tally (or use statistical data) the attendance of young people at Mass or their practice of the sacraments in general.

b)    The main doctrinal nourishment that young people have received for a long time now is found to be lacking in Christian content; this nourishment has been frequently reduced to slogans with a flavor of Historicism and Existentialism and directed toward fostering a sentimentalism which is based upon mass sociology and psychology. This statement will undoubtedly be practically and universally rejected; Eppur si muove.

c)     As a proof of what we have just said, we must point to the fact that the modern Youth Pastoral has developed a generalized absence of specific Christian content. The Modern society of comfort, free morality, and freedom of thought ignores doctrines like those referring to self-denial; surrendering or giving-up one’s life; sharing the Cross of Christ and His Death; and, generally speaking, any doctrine that has to do with effort or sacrifice, as well as any founded on supernatural goals and objectives.

(To be continued)