"Many topics included in specific points of the Synod Instrumentum Laboris have been raised. Among those, the most frequently discussed issue was listening to the questions of the young. This listening begins with real questions, not artificial ones," said Archbishop Stanisław Gadecki of Poznań, president of the Polish episcopate.
The Fathers also spoke about young immigrants. "These young people who emigrate, impoverish their country of origin, and enrich the country to which they come, often with their faith in God as their only support. For us Bishops, the question arises: Do we know the young people who leave our dioceses and do we know those who come to our dioceses?" Archbishop Gadecki observed.
"We gladly accepted the fact that the deliberations also referred to the values of the World Youth Day, to the wealth that they bring with them. Another topic was the need to build formation centers for young people that function 24 hours a day, with ecumenical and interreligious spaces, in search of God," said Archbishop Gadecki said.
Questions concerning the young people's sexuality, determinant during adolescence, were also discussed. "Here, the Church has a beautiful mission to fulfill, because it can proclaim the Gospel of love," said Archbishop Grzegorz Ryś of Lodz.
Archbishop Ryś pointed out that the most frequently repeated word in the Synod is the word "listen". At the same time, issues important for young people, such as studies, work, and sexuality were addressed. These are topics that we can start with when going to meet young people because these are their matters.
During the Synod, the subject of the social media also emerged, both as a great opportunity and a great threat, as a reality in which young people are living. We should not only talk about it but take specific actions, said Bishop Marek Solarczyk, Auxiliary Bishop of Warszawa-Praga.