Scottish Catholic Observer

Speaking at the Youth 2000 festival at Walsingham, Bishop Mark Davies said that the emerging situation would demand that new generations of Catholics find the courage to offer an ‘inspirational lead’ to their contemporaries.

The results of the last census suggest that by 2012 most UK residents would not describe themselves as Christians. However, the Bishop of Shrewsbury told young Catholics not to be afraid of ‘becoming the faithful few for the sake of the many.’

“To be a Catholic and to remain a Catholic in Britain in this century ahead will surely mean having the courage to make a clear stand and to take a clear direction in our lives,” Bishop Davies said.

“In this we may be well out of step with the rest of society, people of faith may become strangers in our own land. People may say unless you conform yourselves to the mindset of society you will quickly become irrelevant. The Gospel tells us something different: it is only by a brave and distinct witness that we become truly relevant to every one of our contemporaries.”

Bishop Davies (above)  reminded the young people present at Youth 2000 about Pope Francis’ message to the more than three million Catholic youths who attended last month’s World Youth Day 2013 celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“Jesus Christ is counting on you,” he declared. “The Church is counting on you. The Pope is counting on you.”

Youth 2000 is a movement for Catholics aged between 16 and 30 years old. It has been active in youth ministry in the UK for about 20 years, seeking to draw young Catholics into a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ.