"Use your youthful days profitably" - Palmer-Buckle

Accra, April 2, GNA - The Most Reverend Charles G. Palmer-Buckle, Catholic Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, on Saturday advised the youth to make maximum use of their time to become useful to the nation and the Church.

He said, "every young person is rich and talented in five things - namely, life, energy and vitality, intellect and creativity, idealism and spirituality, which they need to build upon to make themselves useful to the society and the Church".

Most Rev. Palmer-Buckle who was speaking at the launch of the 21st World Youth Day of the Accra Diocese, said the only way the youth could develop their talents rightly was to go to Jesus, walk in the light of his word and have his word as a lamp for their feet. The late Pope John Paul II initiated the World Youth Day to be celebrated every year on Palm Sunday, the Sunday that begins the Holy Week, to usher the youth into the celebration of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The celebration on the theme "Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path" was also to call the young people to become ambassadors of the message of the Resurrection to the world - a message that brings peace and hope for a better future to all humanity. Most Rev. Palmer-Buckle said those riches and talents were given to the youth for the service of humanity especially for the poor and the ultimate use of these riches in a life of service following the footstep of Jesus Christ.

"You are assets not for yourselves but for humanity and that is why humanity should do all it can to make sure that you grow and blossom all the talents that God has given to you.

"It is also your duty to make sure you develop these talents rightly so that you will be indeed the future insurance and assurance for humanity's prayer and longing for a better world," he said.

The Reverend Father John Amoah, Accra Archdiocesan Youth Chaplain, said the launch was to enable the youth to celebrate the Youth Week, which starts from Sunday, April 2 and to crown it on Palm Sunday with youth all over the world.

He said this year's World Youth Day was a preparation for the 2008 World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia and for the Ghana's version next year in Kumasi.

Rev. Fr Amoah said the Church was gradually moving from the case where very few youth from Ghana/Accra go to international World Youth Day, due to limited sponsorships, which was a strain on the Archdiocesan funds and on the Archbishop.

"The days are coming when as many as have saved, and are properly prepared will have the chance to participate in international World Youth Days," he added.

The Reverend Father Francisco Machado, Parish Priest at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, Mile 7, New Achimota, urged the youth to love the word of God and the Church as it would give them access to a treasure of great value and teach them to appreciate its richness. 2 April 06