Latin American model of pastoral work with youth for an outward-reaching Church

Abstract

In this article the author presents certain aspects of pastoral work with youth, describing young people’s reality and the dynamic of pastoral work in Latin America, as well as certain aspects of pastoral work with youth for an “outward-reaching” Church. Criteria are indicated for the pastoral accompaniment of Latin American young people today, from a model of Church which Pope Francis has denominated “outward-reaching” (or “going forth”). This model challenges us to rethink pastoral work with youth, situating it in the horizon of the path of pastoral action in the perspective of Aparecida, which allows us to “deeply rethink and relaunch [the Church’s] mission in current Latin American and global circumstances with fidelity and audacity” (DA 11).

This requires that the Church show its readiness to appreciate, value and encourage pastoral initiatives and processes that are developing “outside” of explicit parochial spheres, so as to immerse itself in the missionary adventure towards and into spaces where young people are on the margins. Without doubt this means reconsidering the forms in which parochial and wider ecclesial life is organized. This challenge implies leaving behind pre-designed blueprints in order to meet young people there where they are, in the majority of cases outside the Church, adapting to their times and rhythms.