Cardinal Charles Maung Bo has encouraged the Catholic community to “create spaces” to allow young people to discover the priestly and religious way of life.
“Vocations are fostered when young men and women have an uplifting and transformative Christian experience within a community of Catholics united in prayer and with Christ,” said the prelate.
In his keynote speech during the 80th Serra International Convention that was held in Thailand, on June 24, the head of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences acknowledged the decline in vocations globally “and Asia has not been spared either”.
He said there are dioceses in various countries that have to downsize their houses of formation “because there are no new people to continue their ministry”.
“There isn’t one solution that can solve this because the challenges are diverse… various issues impact the declining numbers and can never be narrowed down to one,” the prelate said.
Cardinal Bo said the “rapid economic development” in Asia, which he said, “affects the dynamics of a family”. “The pursuit of wealth and material possessions becomes a priority, leading to a more selfish society that values self-gain over generosity and self-giving,” he said.
The prelate stressed that the allure of a better life and the seductive nature of modern culture distract individuals from considering a life of service to God.
