KENYA: Bishop Oballa Launches Year of the Youth in Ngong Diocese

NGONG, FEBRUARY 16, 2018(CISA) – Bishop John Oballa Owaa of the Catholic Diocese of Ngong has launched the year of the youth in the diocese.

“The ideal of the young is to witness the Gospel in a more just and free society and the Holy Father wonders how they can announce to the world the good news of joy and how they can play an active role in being announcers of this Good News,” said Bishop Oballa.

He was speaking February 9 during Mass at St Joseph Ngong Cathedral to launch the initiative under the  theme ‘Be strong in faith, do not be afraid.’

Bishop Oballa called on the young people “to see how Christ does things: this will enable them to learn how to discern, to know their own vocation, whether it is marriage or consecrated life or priesthood. Through faith they will be able to know how to make decisions and make wise choices for their lives.”

He further called on young people to create time within them in order to discern God’s plan for their lives, such as studying the Bible, liturgy, participation in the activities of the Christian community and pilgrimage to the holy places.

During the celebrations the “instruments of evangelization” such as a Holy Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Holy Rosary and a candle ready to be used to accompany young people throughout the year were blessed.

The celebration is part of the preparations for the forthcoming XV General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, dedicated to young people, to be held in October 2018.