‘Youth and Religion’ by Joe McVeigh

For at least the last twenty years now, parents, who are committed Catholics, often worry that their children, especially in their teenage years are losing their religion and rejecting the religious practices that they still hold dear. They are thinking especially of weekly attendance at Mass, supporting the parish, keeping the commandments etc. Many conscientious parents fear that their children will give up their religion altogether with dire consequences for themselves, their children and for the future of the Catholic church in Ireland.

On the surface, it would seem to be true. More and more young people are giving up practicing their faith at an early age. Some are merely following the example of their parents who quit practicing years before. Others are influenced by their peers who no longer feel any attachment to the Church into which they were baptised and in which they were educated. It is no longer ‘cool.’

However, there is one value that they should be concerned that their children appreciate and one that they should always appreciate – even if they are no longer practicing their faith in the parish church. That value is Justice and Care of Creation. That is central in the Bible and in Catholic teaching.

Young people have a growing sense of justice from an early age. They like to be treated fairly and with respect. They react against being treated unfairly and disrespectfully by people, or by the system or the institutions of church or state. That young people have a growing sense of justice is most important for the future of our society and world.

Justice is a most important value in life and it is one that parents can nurture and inculcate in their children. In my own case, I think I instinctively learned justice from my mother. I also learned to respect others who were different. My mother and father had as many Protestant friends as Catholics. They respected all who came to our house thereby setting an example for all the family.

Of course, young people should never be indoctrinated or forced because that is another form of disrespect.

Young people should be encouraged to respect all people especially those who are different –those belonging to a different religion or those with different colour of skin or different sexual orientation. They should be taught to understand that there is only one race-the human race. Young people should learn tolerance from an early age.

Young people learn what they see and hear growing up. They instinctively know injustice when they see it and they feel outraged when their fellow human beings are abused and treated with disrespect. They resent being treated unfairly and they resent when their peers are treated unjustly. The task of parents, teachers and people in leadership roles is to encourage the children and the young people to grow with respect for others and never to be racist or prejudiced against people who are different.

No matter whether their children practice religion or not parents and adults should encourage children to always fight against injustice, racism and inequality. In doing that, they will be helping to make this world a better more humane and peaceful place. They will be following the example of many of the great spiritual leaders throughout history. Young people will miss a lot by opting out of liturgy in a parish setting. They will miss the sense of belonging that the parish offers. However, if they, as individuals or as members of a political party, become committed to bringing about a peaceful and just society based on respect they will be keeping the Biblical and Christian faith tradition alive. Hopefully that will in time lead to a new kind of church in the future.

We are living in a time of great uncertainty about the future. For those of us who believe in the power of the Holy Spirit, the future is full of possibility. We live in joyful hope!