The number of young people that "manages to establish a
long and deep relationship with the church" continues to decline, said
Italian Bishops president Camillo Ruini. According to the bishop, this aversion
to the church calls for a "broad renewal" and calls upon the
Christian community, often considered incapable in these days of truly
accepting and involving kids, young adults, and those who are at the beginning
of the path of faith".
'The reduction in the practicing religious, the divergence
from ways of behaving in accordance with the Christian model, the cognitive
weakness of even those who for years came to church and followed religious
instruction such as those who come to the church for wedding preparation cannot
help but force us - concluded the bishop at the 5th Cultural forum - to reflect
as realistically as possible on the matter".