Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, His Excellency Julian Kabore, has called for the protection of African youth from modern forms of “colonization”.
The Nuncio made the call at the opening of a seminar for newly appointed bishops in Africa. The seminar, organised by the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), brought together bishops to strengthen unity and equip them with the knowledge to enhance the Church’s mission across the continent.
The Nuncio highlighted the importance of safeguarding Africa’s youth, noting that they make up a significant portion of the continent’s population. “The future lies in the hands of our youth, who must be safeguarded from new and unscrupulous forms of ‘colonization’, such as the relentless pursuit of success, wealth, and power at any cost,” he said. He also emphasised the dangers posed by ideologies that erode personal and familial identity, including fundamentalism and the distortion of religion.
With approximately 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, His Excellency Kabore stressed that young people look to the Church for guidance and moral direction.
He pointed to education as the key tool in combating harmful influences, stating that “The most effective remedy to these harmful forces is a robust investment in education, something the Catholic Church has always championed.”
The Nuncio also called for continued solidarity with those enduring war and violence, especially in regions across Africa. He reminded the bishops of their collective responsibility in fostering a better future for the youth. “As we gather here in Accra, a land of peace, we stand in steadfast solidarity with our brothers and sisters who endure the afflictions of war and violence in other troubled regions across the continent and beyond,” he affirmed.
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