Youth Commission: Sr Sharon Palencia, OND
Like the risen Christ walking with the disciples to Emmaus, we the Youth and the Christian community, alive in Christ, journey together toward Human Christian Maturity by promoting a holistic Youth ministry inspired by Christian and Melanesian values and Spirituality.
The main goal of Youth Ministry is to bring young people to encounter, embrace, and commit themselves to the person of Jesus Christ. By evangelizing the young, they themselves become agents of evangelization in the world. ​
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).​​
​
​
Visit us on our Facebook Page!
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 (see structure)
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.
​
CBC Pastoral Letter 2025
The Pastoral Letter of the Catholic Bishops of PNGSI for the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope is titled 'JOURNEYING IN COMMUNION WITH YOUTH IN CHRIST' and focuses on the youth...(CBC Pastoral Letter 2025)
​
BOARD MEETINGS 2025
1. First Board Meeting (see attachment)
