The Youth Commission is under the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands (CBC PNGSI) which comprises of two countries with twenty-two dioceses (19 dioceses in PNG and 3 dioceses in SI).

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THE CBC YOUTH COMMISSION STRUCTURE AND ANIMATION

           

AGM              ---        Youth Commission             ---        Youth

Secretary                  Bishop Deputies                          Youth Board (young people

                                                                                       should take active part and be regular members)

 

Youth Bishop Deputy                     -            Bp. Pedro Baquero, SDB

Assistant Deputy                           -           Bp. John Bosco Auram

Secretary                                       -           Sr. Sharon Palencia, OND

Youth Board                                   -            Bishop deputies, secretary, Youth

                                                                   Animators (3), Youth Representatives (Regions), Special Appointments

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WALKING TOGETHER AS SALT AND LIGHT

In the Conference Pastoral Plan II (CPP II) 2022-2027, the Catholic Church of PNGSI envisions to be a Church alive in Christ, witnessing the love of God in synodality as salt and light in the world. Its aim is to live a life of communion, participation and mission in families, basic Christian communities, parishes, and dioceses. And will have experienced Jesus Christ through the sacraments, in the scriptures, catechesis and Catholic social teachings. CPP II stipulates that youth receive faith and education formation, and that program be developed to involve them in parish/diocese communities.

 

YOUTH AS AGENTS OF EVANGELIZATION

What is it meant by “youth” or "young people"? The term "young people," as defined by the Synod

Fathers and in Christus Vivit (2018), are those aged 16 to 30, which include youth (adolescents)

and young adults (collegians and above).  Youth as agents of evangelization must strive to

become salt and light. Salt and light are not meant for itself but for OTHERS. Salt loses itself

and puts flavour to the food, likewise, light gives brightness and visibility for others.

EMPOWERING THE YOUTH

• We give SPACE for the young people to grow and live-out their potentials and giftedness.

• We give the Support, Understanding and Trust to the young people.

• The young people stand at the Centre of our Youth Ministry.

 

THE YOUTH FRAME OF REFERENCE​

Inspired by the Holy Father’s Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation to the youth “Christus Vivit” in 2018, the Youth Frame of Reference will be a guiding tool for every Diocesan Catholic Youth Group in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. Its purpose is to enhance the appropriateness of practice for youth coordinators, improve the quality of youth programs and set new benchmarks for current activities.

 

The Youth Commission has initiated to revise the Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry (FCYM) and already conducted successfully two workshops: the first workshop (phase I – youth profile) was in May 2022 and the second one in June 2024 (phases II- validation of the profile). The Phase II came up with a very satisfactory and commendable results in finalizing the youth profile. The participants were able to name the Catholic Youth Ministry Priorities: Young people with well-organized Youth Ministry, empowered and self-reliant young people, culturally rooted young people, young people formed and grounded in the Catholic faith, young people accompanied in their vocational discernment, young people as active evangelizers, and Young people living Christian values. After identifying the priorities, they envisioned that 10 years from now there will be changes and conversions with the youth and they created a generative image – “Youth in Christ”.

 

Now, we are anticipating its final completion stage in June 2025, and its publication once it is approved.