https://www.nzcatholic.org.nz/2015/08/11/what-young-people-want/ The New Zealand National Catholic Newspaper Wed, 27 Jan 2016 01:24:12 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.4 https://www.nzcatholic.org.nz/2015/08/11/what-young-people-want/comment-page-1/#comment-6909 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 00:06:10 +0000 http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz/?p=11239#comment-6909 A valuable contribution to NZ Catholic.
Although Michael wants “a church that is not torn apart by internal arguments”, it seems that he’s alluding to such as the choice of music. Certainly, when serious liturgical abuses or teaching of heresy arise in the Church they must be dealt with, and that will produce “internal arguments”.
Importantly, Michael indicates that the young want “a Church where forgiveness is not used as an excuse to cover up or continue unloving behaviour”. I’m assuming that Michael is indicating sinful behaviour.
He upholds Matthew 18:15-17. Amen to that.
As for our parish churches being unfriendly to the young, I’ve never observed that.
My perception of why so few youth attend Sunday Mass and don’t participate in parish life is that their schools and their parents have failed them. The bishops’ statement earlier this year, The Catholic Education of School Age Children, acknowledges the failure of our schools.

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