2nd BILA on Youth 2007 YOUTH MINISTRY REPORT – PHILIPPINES

History | Background Beginnings of youth ministry… Through the Episcopal Commission on the Lay Apostolate (ECLA) The Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY) was initially a committee (i.e. the ECLA-Youth Committee) under the Episcopal Commission on Lay Apostolate (ECLA) during the period

During the National Conference for Youth Ministers in January 1986, its participants (i.e. the youth directors, coordinators and leaders) proposed for the creation of a separate commission specifically for the youth. The bases for its creation are the following: + That majority of the population belongs to the youth + That the Episcopal Commission for the Lay Apostolate (ECLA), dominated by lay adults with their own unique needs and concerns, cannot adequately meet the particular demands of ministering to the young + That the youth and youth ministry exhibit unique needs and aspirations – calling for a corresponding response that is concrete, adequate and complete + That the youth deserve fuller and more direct representation and participation in the Philippine Church.

The bishops acknowledged the need for a commission that addresses all youth ministry concerns distinctively. During the CBCP Plenary Assembly in June 1986, they unanimously approved the creation of the ECY.

History | Background Emergence of youth organizations… Even before the creation of this national structure of Philippine Catholic youth ministry, there already were youth organizations, especially in campus circles. These organizations primarily catered to the spiritual needs of the youth as well as their social involvement (e.g. Catholic Action, Young Christian Workers, Catholic Youth Organization, etc.). In June 1990, these organizations federated in the national level within the ECY structure via the Federation of National Youth Organizations (FNYO).

People / organizations / movements instrumental in raising awareness on the need to minister to young people + Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), specifically through its Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY) + The late John Paul II

Key event(s) in the history of youth ministry 1986 Creation of the Episcopal Commission on Youth and subsequently, the establishment/strengthening of youth commissions in the dioceses and also of regional youth ministry coordinations These milestones concretely highlight the predilection of the Church for her youth and her ministry among them Second Plenary Council of the Philippines

Key event(s) in the history of youth ministry 1995 Tenth World Youth Day This significant occasion served as a great booster and inspiration for the Philippine Catholic youth ministry, as it affirmed the youth ministries on different ecclesial levels National Pastoral Consultation on Church Renewal 2002 National Filipino Catholic Youth Survey 2004 Ka-Lakbay: Directory for Catholic Youth Ministry in the Philippines

Vision | Mission Direction of youth ministry Through Ka-Lakbay, we have specified that youth ministry moves forwards guided by the three goals, namely: + To establish and strengthen the youth’s relationship with Christ + To provide opportunities for personal growth + To encourage community involvement

Vision | Mission Link of youth ministry with the overall vision- mission of the Philippines Catholic Church Second Plenary Council of the Philippines – Conciliar Document : “As we in this council have declared our evangelical love of preference for the poor, so it would appear to us now to declare a preferential apostolate for children and youth.” [Article 385]

Vision | Mission Link of youth ministry with the overall vision-mission of the Philippines Catholic Church Second Plenary Council of the Philippines – Decrees: “Since youth constitutes a large and dynamic portion of the laity, the youth ministry should be assured of the fullest attention and highest priority in every way by all in the Church.” [Article 50]

Vision | Mission Link of youth ministry with the overall vision-mission of the Philippines Catholic Church National Pastoral Consultation on Church Renewal: Journeying with the youth Journeying with the youth as one of the Ten (10) Pastoral Priorities of the Philippine Catholic Church “We shall engage in dialogue with the youth, strive to enter their world, and journey with them towards Christian maturity.”

Planning Processes in vision-building, planning and implementation of program and activities… pastoral spiral methodology: SEE-JUDGE-ACT seven (7) characteristics of youth ministry: + Christ-centered + A ministry of the Church + Concerned with the growth of the total person + Youth-focused + Communitarian + Interactive + Self-duplicating stages of youth ministry: (in this order) + Sowing of the seed, + Nurturing for growth, and + Harvesting of fruits

Planning Key players … The bishops As the proper pastors of the dioceses, they are expected to be solicitous for all Christ’s faithful entrusted to their care. As such, they are the first youth ministers in their respective dioceses. The Episcopal Commission on Youth The CBCP office that addresses the concerns and needs of the youth and of the ministry among them The Diocesan Youth Councils Catalyst for strengthening and organizing the youth in the parishes and in other structures of and within their respective dioceses The Regional Youth Coordinating Councils Coordinates the implementation of youth ministry programs among the ecclesiastical territories / youth organizations within their respective scopes The National Secretariat for Youth Apostolate The implementing arm and liaison of the ECY

Planning Key players … The Regional Youth Coordinating Councils Coordinates the implementation of youth ministry programs among the ecclesiastical territories / youth organizations within their respective scopes The National Secretariat for Youth Apostolate The implementing arm and liaison of the ECY

PURPOSE EvangelizationLife in the Spirit Seminar School catechesis Neo-catechumenate program Youth Encounter CatechesisBasic Bible Seminar BEC formation program Youth Days on various levels (regional, diocesan, etc.) National Youth Day SpiritualityRetreats and recollections (e.g. Taizé prayer, etc.) Youth Encounter Parable of the Pencil Fellowship (Community) Youth camps, etc. Youth Encounter Social Action and Leadership Kabataang Bayani Regional youth ministry events National Conference for Youth Ministers Basic Course on Youth Ministry Unang Hakbang: Ka-Lakbay Formation Program for Youth Ministers OthersInter-religious dialogue among youth Movements sending off of members for mission

Links The ECY is ongoing in its establishing and strengthening of its linking with the other CBCP commissions and offices. This it does, motivated: + by an inter-ministerial and synergetic approach + by a widening awareness of the complexity of the youth world (to be responded to with the help of others) + by a desire to be of relevant and continuous ministry for them (e.g. young people will eventually move on from youth ministry, e.g. towards family ministry; there are young people in jail who receive prison ministry; etc.)

Difficulties | Challenges Vastness in number Various insufficiencies or needs Discontinuity and transitoriness On the part of the youth ministers themselves Absence of prioritization and direction Social problems Attitudinal and behavioral problems

Strengths | Opportunities Qualities and skills of young people themselves A certain professionalism A fruitful youth ministry Involvement of various groups Various activities and facilities