Sunson (N/R), Sept. 11, GNA - The 36th annual general meeting of the Ghana National Catholic Youth Council is under way at the Saint Martins Pastoral Centre (Sunson) in the Yendi Municipality of the Northern Region. Over a 100 delegates from Catholic Dioceses and National Movements are attending the meeting.

The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra and Episcopal President of the Laity and Youth, Most Rev Charles Palmer-Buckle called on the youth to be committed to Christ through doing good works.

He said the theme for the occasion: Planted and built up in Jesus Christ firm in the faith (Col. 2:7) was appropriate and urged the youth to rejuvenate the church with their presence.

Bishop of Yendi, Most Rev Vincent Sowah Boi-Nai said the youth are the future of the church and that it was important to give high priority to the youth ministry by investing adequate resources in them.

He said the event should seek to cultivate a critical attitude which will enable the youth to make appropriate choices and accept responsible commitments.

He said it was unfortunate that when some active Catholic members in an area go on transfer to other regions the community become weakened by their absence.

Bishop Boi-Nai said due to the rural-urban migration it has been very difficult to build stable Christian communities in several towns in the region.

Mr Issah Zakaria, the Yendi Municipal Chief Executive, said as a church with a great fellowship across the country, it was imperative that they meet periodically to take stock of their programme and activities.

He said the Catholic Church has made tremendous contribution to the socio-economic development of the country especially in education, health, poverty alleviation and peace building.

He called for a more concerted effort and collaboration between the government, the church and NGOs in order to overcome the problems facing the society.

Mr Zakaria urged the youth to shun pornography on the internet, cyber fraud, indecent dressing, disrespect for the elderly, drug abuse, alcoholism and adopt the word of God.

He appealed to the religious leaders to continue to use the pulpit to preach peace, tolerance, love and compassion to their congregations.