Youth council looks at standards for ministry to young

The Council, which includes representatives from each diocese, meets regularly with the bishops. Its role is to advise and advocate on behalf of young Catholics in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Among the many topics discussed at the group’s March meeting were the final draft of Hīkoi Tahi, the Church’s document outlining standards for ministry to young people, and preparations for the upcoming World Youth Day in South Korea in 2027.

“It is important to the bishops and to us that we work together as much as possible in providing encounter experiences for young people with the living God,” Council chair Nick Wilson noted.

“There is much to distract young people from a life of discipleship. To counter this, we take great hope and encouragement from Pope Francis’ document Christus Vivit, which emphasises the importance of accompanying young people in their hīkoi whakapono – their faith journeys.”

Mr Wilson said that people often assume it is solely the youth minister who is responsible for accompanying young people in faith.

“This is erroneous, because by virtue of our Baptism, our Vatican II ecclesiology points to our calling to journey together as a community of disciples.”

He offered a reflection for those with longer experience of discipleship: “How can I assist the faith journey of young people in my local faith community? After all, each of us was once accompanied by someone – a teacher, a priest, a youth worker, a whānau member, or another significant person along the way.”

FULL STORY

Updates From Around the Diocese | March 2026 (Tūmanako/Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North)