Archbishop in Cameroon Calls for Youth Centre Initiatives in Parishes to Foster Dialogue

Douala, 06 September, 2023 / 4:33 PM

Archbishop Samuel Kleda of Cameroon’s Douala Archdiocese has called for the creation of youth centers in Parishes of his Metropolitan See to foster prayer and dialogue.

Addressing the people of God under his pastoral care during Holy Mass to officially launch the new pastoral year of Douala Archdiocese, Archbishop Kleda said, “Young people in general are searching and they need a place to encounter Christ.”

“For this reason, I call on all parishes in our Archdiocese to construct youth centers for the gathering of young people,” the Cameroonian Archbishop said during the on September 2 event that was held at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral of Douala Archdiocese. 

He added, “Let these centers to be constructed be places of meeting, prayer and dialogue.”

“If it is not possible for a parish to construct a center for young people, two parishes in the same pastoral zone can team up to realize this project,” Archbishop Kleda said.

He noted that throughout the new pastoral year, “young people of the Archdiocese of Douala will be at the heart of diocesan initiatives.”

The Cameroonian Archbishop who has been at the helm of Douala Archdiocese since November 2009 urged the people of God to give young people “a great deal of attention so that they find their place in the Church, even where decisions are made.”

In 2022, Archbishop Kleda announced a Diocesan Synod in Douala Archdiocese to examine issues relating to youth ministry in general and the challenges of young people in particular.

“This Diocesan Synod will be on the theme: Young people come and see (John 1,39),” the Cameroonian Archbishop said on 17 September 2022.

He added, “For three years we will be looking at the problems of our young people. We know today that young people face many difficulties. First of all, to study normally, after studying to find a job.”