NAIROBI, Kenya, July 23, 2026 (CISA) – Young people should play a greater role in shaping the Church’s future by participating in decision making rather than simply implementing decisions made by others, Bishop Henry Juma Odonya said during the 21st Plenary Assembly of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) in Nairobi.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Assembly at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, the chairperson of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Youth Commission said the Church’s commitment to listening to young people must result in their active involvement in leadership and mission.
“We are here to listen to our young people,” Bishop Odonya said, noting that bishops and delegates had dedicated the opening days of the Assembly to dialogue with youth from across the AMECEA region.
The Assembly is being held under the theme, “AMECEA’s Synodal Journey with Young People: Building Bridges of Communion, Hope, Justice and Good Governance,” reflecting the region’s commitment to strengthening youth participation in the life of the Church.
Bishop Odonya said authentic synodality requires young people to become partners in discernment and pastoral planning.
“Our young people don’t need to be implementers of what others discuss and decide for them,” he said. “We want a Church that is inclusive, listens to young people and allows them to be part of the decision making process.”
The bishop of Kitale said the Assembly’s emphasis on youth also carries a message for governments and other institutions to create space for young people to contribute to society.
“We also challenge civic authorities and other stakeholders to listen to our young people,” he said.
He stressed that youth ministry should extend beyond regional gatherings and remain a continuous pastoral commitment rooted in families, Small Christian Communities, parishes, schools and dioceses.
“The pastoral care of our young people is supposed to be continuous. It doesn’t end with such an assembly. It has to cascade down to the grassroots,” Bishop Odonya said.
He added that the Church must accompany and mentor young people throughout their faith journey to strengthen both their spiritual lives and their participation in the Church’s mission.
Bishop Odonya highlighted the work of the KCCB Youth Commission, established about 18 months ago, to strengthen youth participation within the Church in Kenya. The commission brings together bishops, diocesan youth chaplains, university chaplains and representatives from youth movements and associations to deliberate on issues affecting young Catholics.
“We sit together, we make decisions together, and we listen to one another,” he said, adding that the commission’s work has been guided by dialogue between Church leaders and young people.
Addressing challenges facing young people, including unemployment, mental health concerns, political manipulation, weakening faith and identity struggles, Bishop Odonya said faith formation remains the Church’s first priority.
“The faith formation of our young people is very important. It is going to guarantee the present and even the future of the Church,” he said.
He also pointed to digital evangelization as an increasingly important area of youth ministry, saying the KCCB Youth Commission is training young Catholics to become digital missionaries and responsible content creators.
“The content, Jesus Christ, does not change. The way of relaying the message changes because of the context,” Bishop Odonya said.
He said the commission is equipping young people to use digital platforms and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to promote the Gospel, human dignity and justice.
The bishop also recalled the launch of four youth formation manuals during the National Youth Mass in Mombasa last year. The resources were developed for parish youth, Young Christian Students, university students and Young Catholic Adults to strengthen faith formation across different age groups.
Looking ahead, Bishop Odonya said he hopes the conversations taking place during the AMECEA Plenary Assembly will inspire stronger youth ministry across Eastern Africa.
“We have listened to our young people. They have shared their hopes, challenges and suggestions on what the Church needs to do for them,” he said. “The Church in AMECEA will continue to journey with young people every day, giving them hope, deepening their faith and enabling them to become missionaries to other young people.”
