Young People: Tell the Pope & Bishops What You Think

The Jesuit Institute of South Africa has called on all young people between the ages of 15 and 27 to submit short videos telling Pope Francis and the bishops what they think about the Catholic Church and its direction.

The Jesuit Institute is dedicated to encouraging debate on current social issues from a faith perspective and to stimulating critical reflection, research, and dialogue. It provides reflection on, and critical analysis of, contemporary social and religious issues from a Catholic perspective.

This project comes in the wake of the Institute’s move towards greater interaction with and ministry to the youth. In this, it has increased its audio-visual and social media footprint over the last year and is constantly trying new ways to further this end.

“This project is of particular concern, as we would like to help the Church avoid the problems it encountered in the run-up to the meeting of the Synod on the Family,” said media production coordinator Frank Tuson.

Parishioners Have a Voice

“In a similar way people are being asked to fill out a questionnaire, but this time, it is in an online format, avoiding the risk of parish priests submitting what they assume their parishioners think, and allowing the parishioners themselves a voice.”

Many young people have left the Church, and if possible, the Institute and Pope Francis would like to find out why — and what solutions young people may have for this problem.

This project aims to draw attention to this online questionnaire, and its importance. Everyone, but especially young people, needs to take ownership of the Church, and participating in this survey is a great way to do just that, the institute said.

Participants are asked to answer any or all of the following questions:

1. What role does your Catholic faith play in your life?
2. What do you think the Catholic Church needs to do for young people?
3. What do you want the Church to do for you?
4. What do you want to tell the bishops and Pope Francis about young people in the Church today?

The submitted answers will be compiled into one or more videos expressing what young people really think about the Church, and these will be posted on social media as well as submitted to the Vatican.

Submissions can be sent to or by WhatsApp to 076 993-9115