Thiruvananthapuram: In a compelling circular issued as part of the Great Jubilee Year declared by Pope Francis, the KCBC Youth Commission has urged Christian youth across Kerala to embrace their unique role in the Church and society with renewed vigor and commitment. Anchored in the Jubilee Year’s motto, “Pilgrims of Hope,” the message calls on young people to respond boldly to the spiritual and social needs of our time.
The Commission highlights that this Jubilee Year is not just a liturgical celebration but a moment of profound spiritual awakening and responsible action. Drawing from the teachings of Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV, the circular encourages youth to undergo both spiritual renewal and practical transformation, becoming agents of hope in a world often marked by despair and division.
The example of Christ radical in love, compassionate in action, and inclusive in spirit is placed before the youth as the model to imitate. His revolutionary vision and commitment to the forgotten and marginalized serve as a guidepost for young Catholics who are called not only to dream but to act. This divine virtue of hope, as emphasized in the Catechism, is described as the foundation for a meaningful Christian life.
The circular addresses the growing social challenges that threaten the moral and spiritual health of the younger generation. It cites alarming trends such as increasing substance abuse, anti-religious ideologies, weakening family bonds, unemployment, and widespread disillusionment. These, it warns, are not just external threats but deeply personal battles that push many youth to the margins of faith and community.
In this context, the Church sees a clear mission to reach out, rebuild, and renew. The KCBC Youth Commission calls upon parishes, dioceses, and Church organizations to take up this mission with greater seriousness. Individual and collective efforts are needed to support those caught in cycles of crisis and to guide them back to hope and purpose.
Another key focus of the circular is the urgency of fostering entrepreneurship and sustainable employment. While many young people are choosing to migrate in search of opportunities, the Commission acknowledges the desire among many to remain in their homeland if the conditions allow. Therefore, Catholic institutions and leaders are urged to create ecosystems that promote ethical business, innovation, and self-reliance rooted in Christian values.
The circular also brings attention to the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence. It echoes the Vatican’s repeated calls for ethical engagement with technology. While recognizing the transformative potential of AI, it cautions against misuse and moral degradation. The Commission recommends that Church-affiliated youth organizations initiate discussions, awareness programs, and training that explore the intersection of AI, human dignity, and faith.
On the political front, the Commission strongly opposes the detachment of faith-formed youth from public life. In times of political uncertainty and turbulence, it is all the more necessary for those with moral clarity and leadership qualities to step into the mainstream. Catholic youth should be trained and encouraged to influence policy and governance, not with partisan intentions, but with the Gospel spirit of justice, service, and compassion.
Ultimately, the circular calls upon each young person to discern their vocation whether in spiritual, social, political, or technological fields and to walk that path with authenticity and courage. The Church sees this Jubilee Year as a rare opportunity for introspection and action. The future, it says, belongs to those who are ready to transform their hope into meaningful contributions, not only within church walls but in every sphere of public life.