A Renewed Church: Role of Youth and their Mission - 2011 (BJMM004)

 

Title: A Renewed Church: Role of Youth and their Mission. Author: Edward A Edezhath. Publication: Eastern Journal of Dialogue and Culture, Vol. 4, No. 1, January - June 2011. 9 - 25.

A Renewed Church: Role of Youth and their Mission

Dr Edward Edezhath (edward.edezhth@gmail.com)

“Want to do the impossible? Catch them young!” This seems to be the slogan of all pioneers and great heroes of all times. Eminent social and religious reformers had this knack and they had immense youth following; and those with nefarious ends perhaps did it even better. These are times when day after day headlines explode with news of the bizarre and shocking, and youth are there everywhere, perhaps more in numbers than common people imagine and more for reasons beyond the understanding of the general public.

A special report by United States Institute of Peace entitled “Why Youth Join al-Qaeda”[1] seriously upsets some of our common conceptions on how the youth think and act. Colonel Matt Venhaus's interviews of a couple of thousands of "foreign fighters" of al-Qaeda show that rather than being recruited, these young men actively sought out the terror outfit. And the reason? Not because it was an organisation, but there was an ideology and a popular global brand that spins a heroic narrative. "Potential recruits have an unfulfilled need to define themselves. . . .Revenge seekers need an outlet for their frustration, status seekers need recognition, identity seekers need a group to join, and thrill seekers need adventure". Al-Qaeda's ability to turn them to violence is rooted in what each seeks.

This immense youth appeal is not just the native genius of al-Qaeda. Very recently with national attention in India Anna Hazare did it. At the end of his highly successful historic campaign against corruption in high places it was the youth whom he thanked for his victory as “youth power is the power of the nations”[2]. Age after age, in nation after nation, the Church has been very successfully doing it. And perhaps more than anyone else in recent times young people’s “JPII” was doing it unforgettably for over a quarter of a century and perhaps continuing to do it even better after his demise. And the challenge today is how to successfully harness this resourcefulness for the forward march of the people of God. Perhaps ‘interpreting signs of the times’ (Mt. 16:3) very pointedly awakens us to listening to the wisdom buried among the young, with a view to renewing the face and heart of the Church.

I.                   Why Youth?

Focusing on youth is the core competency of a number of social realities, but by youth what section do we mean? How should they be defined? Of course, all practical definitions are made with a view to some goal in mind. When we define ‘who is youth’ in a competition for young people excluding those below certain age and those above certain threshold is very important. The UN categorizes youth as between 15 and 24[3] and it is significant by way of focusing on the challenges faced by them. But many other organisations tend to stretch the age with their eyes on the functional expediency and practical benefits. A consumer related study of youth categories remarks that “The traditional demographic definition of ‘youth’ is no longer applicable in today’s society, and marketers should target consumers based upon their engagement and participation in youth culture rather than on their chronological age”[4]. Their strong contention is that in practical terms those in the age groups of 25 to 34 should, for all practical purposes, be considered ‘youth’. Today’s tendency is not to rigidly speak of youth as an age category, but rather to speak of youth culture[5] with a broad age category in the backdrop. This approach of considering ‘youth as what youth do’ is significant so that they will not be looked upon as a recipient category who will enter and leave the ‘revolving doors’ of organisations, but will be respected as partners in mission sharing an ever-continuing path in the Church and the world.

More than 3 billion reasons: The overwhelming headcount of the youth and children in the contemporary world, though in its own right is significant, is not the whole reason for a youth priority policy in the Church and society. But it can never be forgotten that nearly half of the world’s population is under the age of 25, that is about 3 billion of them, and about 85 per cent of the world’s youth live in the developing countries[6]. If you are in Asia or Africa surely the presence of the younger ones is more than half.

They are deeply influential: Gone are the days when elders ordered and youth obeyed. In most practical decisions now-a-days youth are either the decision makers or have a critical influence[7]. ‘Kidfluence’[8] is a very strong present-day reality, very powerful in purchases, but also in a variety of social behaviours. In communities if youth as a group take a stand that will have far reaching consequences.

They are in touch with ‘today’: To operate a gadget, to get some quick information you need youth. In a technology driven world youth have a big say. “What can global business leaders learn from a 14-year-old kid in a cyber cafe in Bangalore, India? …Just about everything”[9]. In a world of fast spreading and fast changing communication modes and means youth are the heart of it all. As communication becomes synonymous with technology without the youth skill the families and communities become out of touch with daily life.

They are there where things happen: For a communicating generation social networking sites are the place to be. As on 7 March 2011 there were 629,982,480 persons on the Facebook, where 30 billion pieces of content are shared each day. Age-wise 20.6% of users were between the age of 13 to 17, 25.8% between 18 - 25 and 26.1% between 26 - 34. In other words, 56% of users were below 25 years and a cumulative 73% under 34 years[10]. Youth are surely in touch with the dynamic realities of the contemporary world. Art, music, politics, sports – young people are close to all these areas where there is life, action and creativity. And definitely being in touch with youth is the best way to be in touch with the world.

Idealistic and innovative: What characterize the youthful spirit, more than all else, is idealism. Encarta dictionary defines ‘idealism’ as ‘belief in and pursuit of perfection as an attainable goal’.: “Most children I have come to know, whether rich or poor,” remarks Peter Dalglish, founder of Street Kids International, “have a profound longing to do something worthwhile with their lives. They speak to me about their desire to protect Brazil's tropical rain forests or rescue green turtles in Indonesia or help street children in Central America. …What happens over time to this deep-set idealism? Unfortunately, even the most independent young adults usually succumb to relentless messages from peers, family members and the corporate world that earning a big income must be their top priority”[11].

High potential as agents of change: Even though very often youth are kept aloof from decision making and policy implementation by the top leadership due to a variety of reasons, young people have an extraordinary capacity to effect change. Discussing the immense potential of youth as peace builders Felice and Wisler hint at the core of youth character: “Young people are searching for new ideas and open to new challenges while adults have already formed their dogmatic discourses”[12]. Youth in general are open to change, future oriented and daring. These three qualities in a way make up inevitable ingredients of an effective agent of social transformation.

II.                Backdrop of the Contemporary Youth World

A writer on global trends Van Wishard talks of major socio-cultural issues shaping our world[13]. Radical changes are coming in the way people think, perceive and carry on their day-to-day living. Some of the significant ones are: Globalization is moving far beyond trade and commerce and has seeped into the political, social, cultural and intellectual fabric of the whole world; the rate of technological change is doubling every decade; the information environment of every individual is radically changing; world transforming technologies are being adopted by individuals and groups with minimal understanding of their consequences; the basic social institution of the family is getting redefined, etc.

It is needless to point out that the younger ones are at the heart of all these transforming winds, enjoying ‘breeze’ yet tossed back and forth, often uprooted from the safe and secure ways of old. But, as some people so naively seemed to suggest, can we wish them away? We cannot, nor would we want to, since they are not all bad, but a bundle of extremely helpful and convenient goodies mixed with supremely hurtful consequences, which cannot easily be separated nor given up. Jesus’s insightful parable of the weeds (Mt. 13:24-30) is extremely pertinent here. In the context of youth involvement in life of the Church what are some of the significant defining elements of the contemporary youth domain?

Migration

Migration is one of the most decisive social realities of modern times, posing unprecedented challenges for every society and nation. Today there are about 214 million people who live outside their country of birth and there are 740 million internal migrants, bringing the total number of migrants to just under 1 billion worldwide today[14]. As discussed earlier, the significant changes in the society affect the younger sections more than any others, and this is true of the growing reality of migration also. In their desire to have a better life the migrants, especially the more ambitious ones, prefer more affluent countries. As a result, according to some contemporary estimates, "75% of all migrants live in 28 countries, while 61 per cent of migrants are concentrated in developed countries such as United States, France, Germany and Australia"[15]. With this focus towards moving to greener pastures, migration from Asia, Africa and parts of South America to richer regions of the world will surely be a predictable trend.

And who are these migrant youth and what are their category profile: young people migrate i) for employment, ii) for study, iii) as part of family migration and finally iv) forced to do so by oppressive circumstances. International Labour Organization estimates that half of the migrants worldwide are workers. These workers contribute not just to their host economies, but their remittances home very often keep buoyant their home economies. The ILO reports that remittances figured $223 billion in 2005 which was more than twice the level of international aid[16]. In many countries internal migrant workers drive economies, to cite an instance, there are 150 million migrant workers in China of whom 90 million are under 30 and they are driving one of the most significant demographic shifts in the country’s history[17].

A second significant migrant section, that is, international students is a fast-growing phenomenon. World‐wide, from 2000 to 2008, the number of foreign students has doubled from 1.8 million to 3.3 million. It is expected that between 4.1 million and 6.7 million students will be studying abroad by 2020. India and China will continue to be major source countries, with medium growth in the next 5 to 10 years[18]. And which countries do they choose to study? In 2007, the United States accounted for 21.4% of foreign enrolments, the United Kingdom 12.6%, France 8.8%, Australia 7.6%, Germany 7.4%, and Japan 4.5% [19]. Lack of quality education in the home country is cited as one of the reasons for youth seeking study abroad opportunities, but permanent migration into the host country proves to be a strong persuasive reason for a majority.

Forced migration take place because of a variety of reasons, including persecution, natural and industrial disasters, development projects, environmental degradation, war and conflict, ethnic discrimination, etc. The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants gives the world total as 62,000,000 refugees and estimates there are over 34,000,000 displaced by war, including internally displaced persons, who remain within the same national borders[20]. Natural disasters surely form another major cause of forced migration.

For the Church and society migration in its varied forms and with its complex implications is indeed an immense challenge as well as opportunity for mission, youth related reflection and action.

Media

With mobile phones, internet, FM Radio, digital music, television, advertisements and what not the life of the youth is in a wonderful world of kicks and thrills.

Among the many forms of the media, Internet today has the prime of place. The Net is not just one thing, but the media for almost all media, or a doorway to the immense possibilities of information, communication and entertainment. As on 25 April 2011 there were 2,100 million internet users worldwide, up from 361million users in the year 2000. This has been approximately 482% growth of the total Internet users in a decade[21]. But what percentage of the population uses the Internet? In Africa 10.9%, Asia 21.5%, Europe 58.4%, North America 77.4% and so on[22].

What about mobile phones? For personal communication and as a gadget of immense resourcefulness mobile phones have become the closest companion of the human race. In the world of about 7 billion population over 5 billion mobile phones have been in use. In March 2011 there were 875 million mobile users in China with 64% penetration and 811 million in India with 68% of the country’s population using it[23]. In India as in other parts of the world Television continues to be a strong entertainer, with almost 140 million TV users in the country who watch on an average 16 hours per week[24].

What are the implications of this rapid growth of media, especially on youth? They have access to everyone and everything. Instances abound where youth are misled by, where they are misused through and when they mishandle the media. On the flip side even children are better equipped and highly confident in matters relating to ideas and information. This generation knows where to get what they want. In these days of ‘infotainment’ youth want enjoyment and creative edge in all that they learn. This in turn has made them highly original and innovative in all that they do.

Consumerism

All sections of the society, including the spiritual or the profane, are driven by the magic of the money and the lure of the market. Consumerism is a social and economic order that is based on the systematic creation and fostering of a desire to purchase goods and services in ever greater amounts[25]. It seems the world's richest 20% consume 76.6% of the available resources, whereas the poorest 20% make use of only 1.5% of the same[26]. And the perennial yearning of the lower end is to climb high on the ladder ‘by hook or by crook’.

Cutthroat competition, commercial brand names getting perceived as status-symbols, uncontrolled craving for clothing, jewellery, automobiles, luxury homes, fancy food, etc. are only a few of the skin-deep vices of consumerism. What follows from these such as, deep seated social stratification, disregard for ecology leading to irreparable damage to the environment, superficial values leading to a ‘consumerist spirituality’, a variety of newborn physical and psychological illnesses are the deep-set impact of this growing mentality. A hedonistic mentality of pleasure being seen as the intrinsic good often follows this modern attitude.

But is there a reprieve from this modern-day tentacles that often immobilize everything spiritual and even much of the social and psychological wellbeing of the modern-day humanity! We want our children to be ‘successful’’; every one of us is ready to go any lengths to get this new gadget that the ads are raving about; someone wearing a classy brand turns our heads, and we don’t want to be left behind. In the words of Pope Benedict XVI “the current consumerist culture” tends to “flatten man to the present, to make him lose the sense of the past, of history; but in this way it also deprives him of the capacity to understand himself, to perceive problems and to build tomorrow”[27]. For better and for worse all of us, especially our younger generation, are more or less in the thralls of a consumerist culture.

III.             A Radiant and Enduring Vision of the Community of Believers

Found on social networking site, “Radiant Church” and the description, “Radiant Church has a vision to make disciples by providing a relevant worship experience, building deep relationships, and serving others radically”[28]. May be what has been significantly missing was the formation or faith input. The youth (and not so young, but young in spirit) who followed Christ when they received “power from on high”, devoted themselves to an ideal vision of a pattern of living that faithful and not so faithful of all hues have tried to replicate over millennia. Spirit filled instruction, deep and joyful friendship, reliving of the sacred memory of the Master's self-giving act and moments in the presence of the eternal[29].

Called to present what is enduring in the context of the ephemeral, not as against it, but sometimes even in the form of it, as incarnating in it, Church challenges youth to see a vision and live it. A genuine vision of the Church invariably fascinates youth and makes them active collaborates in it, in accordance with what the Council desired that “it may bring to all men that light of Christ which shines visibly from the Church”[30]. What you love truly you will live for deeply. What is the kind of Church that youth love? When they find such a community they will live and die for it.

1. Love of Christ challenges them: For most young people it is personal encounter with Christ, in one way or the other, that becomes the basis of their active life in the Church, which it turn motivates them to be lively missionaries. A Church community that brings this Christ dimension and love orientation to the epicentre will invariably become youth-friendly and this vision youth will carry on with a passion. An orientation to a vibrant ‘inner life’ becomes a natural consequence of this which will impart a taste of what is spiritual to the youth. “Every community, if it is to be Christian, must be founded on Christ and live in Him, as it listens to the word of God, focuses in prayer on the Eucharist, lives in a communion marked by oneness of heart and soul, and shares according to the needs of its members”[31].

2. A Participative Church, rich in ministries will lend them a place: Youth come alive in a context of lively fellowship and participation. A Christian community that welcomes and respects the individual, recognising one’s dreams and aspirations will help youth to realise the dream of the Council that “a member who does not work at the growth of the body to the extent of his possibilities must be considered useless to both Church and to himself”[32]. This in turn should lead to an active personal participation in the wider body as well as in the organisation and even inspire one to initiate new ones within the wider body, knowing that “the laity have the right to establish and direct associations, and to join existing ones”[33].

3. The Church of the poor is in consonance with their dreams: With their sublime sense of idealism almost all young people turn to the poor and the needy with compassion and commitment. This has been one of the secret of the efficacy of Mother Teresa’s ministry. Ideally a community of believers that reaches out to the poor with compassion, that lives in proximity with the needy and welcomes the poor to be part of the community will surely be the true body of Christ for the youth.

4. A Church with a Sense of Mission will put fire in their hearts: Jesus called his would be followers and send them forth on mission and the dynamics in the Church should also be the same as “the Church … is by its very nature missionary”[34]. Fire begets fire especially in the hearts of youth. And in turn, youth with fire in their hearts can put the whole community aflame. The ‘new evangelization’ that John Paul II urged — “new in ardour, methods and expression”[35], inspired the whole bunch of youth and in turn brought forth numerous youth movements and initiatives.

5. The Church that imparts formation will generate youth formators: In the modern world career world is rediscovering formation with emphasis on values and character which the Church has fine turned over the centuries in its formation houses. A marrying of this forte of the Church with the ‘wineskins’ of contemporary corporate format is capable of bringing forth suitable training packages for the parish as well as the other Catholic bodies. With their natural flair youth have already transformed the whole approach to formation in many Christian communities.

6. A universal breadth of the local church will bring out height of youth leadership: The universal nature of the Church with its breadth of existence and mission is an inspiring challenge to the contemporary ‘universal citizen’. In this age of networking and worldwide communication the historical, worldwide, multi-voiced Catholic Church can truly be experienced from every little ‘cell’ of the Body of Christ. Caught with this vision the youth assume a leadership with breadth and height.

7. A Community In dialogue with the times and cultures will make them true witnesses: The Church is in constant dialogue[36] with the world and a community of faithful ready to ‘interpret the signs of the times’ and prepared to dialogue with others around will prepare the youth for true leadership in society. The youth “are called by God that, being led by the spirit of the Gospel, they may contribute to the sanctification of the world, as from within like leaven, by fulfilling their own particular duties … thus … they must manifest Christ to others”[37]. In other words, youth are the ambassadors to the wider world and a culture of dialogue is the best means to equip them for this.

IV. Bringing youth to the fore

George Bernard Shaw’s tongue-in-cheek remark "Youth is wasted on the young" hints at the crux of youth ministry. Youth are the cream of the world today and they are also the major Chunk of the Church. Contemporary youth manifest unprecedented capacity for leadership and creativity. In spite of this abundant resourcefulness and potentiality youth are rendered incapable by a variety of social and personal factors. Moreover, the required bridging with the youth culture and local church reality is conspicuously missing in most of the Christian communities.

For the Church to bridge the gap between life in the church and the modern world with its dynamics the active participation and leadership of youth is vital. The new millennium witnessed the emergence of a host of youth leadership around the world. Pope’s remark on lay leadership in Asia is pertinent to the wider array of youth also, “One solid cause of hope is the increasing number of better trained, enthusiastic and Spirit-filled lay people, who are more and more aware of their specific vocation within the ecclesial community”[38]. The crucial challenge is how to ensure the formation and active participation of such youth missionaries.

What are the dynamics of forming youth missionaries? In the Gospels Jesus appears to follow a process of preparing his disciples starting from their ordinary life and traversing some steps he transforms them into people with a deep sense of mission. As in the past the contemporary movements also follow these steps of empowerment. As in the case of the disciples youth also go through the steps of: i) call, ii) deeper encounter, iii) accompaniment, iv) immersion into a community, v) formation for mission, vi) sending forth, and vii)entrusting leadership.

Who can do the preparation of these missionaries? Youth are the best trainers of youth. Perhaps they are the only ones that other youth will listen to. Words of Pope Paul VI are all the more true today, “Circumstances invite us to make special mention of the young. … young people who are well trained in faith and prayer must become more and more the apostles of youth. The Church counts greatly on their contribution, and we ourselves have often manifested our full confidence in them”[39].

A culture and company: A community and a context are essential for the contemporary formation dynamics. In Redemptoris Missio Pope John Paul II speaks of the formative role of Basic Ecclesial Communities, “These are groups of Christians who, at the level of the family or in a similarly restricted setting, come together for prayer, Scripture reading, catechesis, and discussion on human and ecclesial problems with a view to a common commitment. These communities are a sign of vitality within the Church, an instrument of formation and evangelization and a solid starting point for a new society based on a ‘civilization of love’”[40]. Mission is a lifestyle and culture not taught, but caught from a community, transferred to a person through witness as well as personal bonding. As in the case of Jesus even today it happens in the company of the faithful.

An enduring vision: An strong sense of mission is always built on the bedrock of strong vision, emerging from the Word germinated in lived contest. A young person capturing this enduring vision being in the process of updating it is the core of one’s missionary life. “The apostolate in one’s social environment endeavours to infuse the Christian spirit into the mentality and behaviour, laws and structures of the community in which one lives. To such a degree is it the special work and responsibility of lay people, that no one else can ever properly supply for them. In this area laymen can conduct the apostolate of the like towards like”[41].

V. Youth are the hope of today and always

With his personal charisma imbued with the Spirit of the divine Blessed John Paul II could galvanise youth to great sense of zeal and missionary fervour. This in turn brought forth young missionaries who on their part stirred their communities with great dynamism and commitment. The Pope’s words in preparation for the International Year of Youth in 1985 still resounds with fresh impact: “You young people are the ones who embody this youth: you are the youth of the nations and societies, the youth of every family and of all humanity; you are also the youth of the Church. We are all looking to you, for all of us, thanks to you, in a certain sense continually become young again. So your youth is not just your own property, your personal property or the property of a generation: it belongs to the whole of that space that every man traverses in his life's journey, and at the same time it is a special possession belonging to everyone. It is a possession of humanity itself”[42]. May the whole Church be able to see youth in their true light and help them to be true missionaries in the Church and society.

 

---

References

[1] Venhaus, Colonel J M Matt. "Why Youth Join al-Qaeda". United States Institute of Peace. Special Report 236. May 2010. Accessed on 10 May 2011. <http://www.scribd.com/doc/30983812/United-States-Institute-of-Peace-Special-Report-Why-Youth-Join-Al-Qaeda>

[2] "Anna Hazare Salute Youth Power" Sifi news 9 Apr 2011 accessed on 10 May 2011 <http://www.sify.com/news/anna-hazare-salutes-youth-power-news-national-lejmaeigbic.html>

[3] "Profile of Youth". United Nations World Youth Report 2010. Accessed on 11 May 2011 <http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/documents/wyr10/Brief%20demographic.pdf>

[4] "Youth No Longer Defined by Chronological Age; Consumers Stay ‘Younger’ Longer". Marketing Charts.J Watershed Publishing.Accessed on 11 May 2011. http://www.marketingcharts.com/topics/asia-pacific/youth-no-longer-defined-by-chronological-age-35-is-new-18-6530/>

[5] Heaven, Cara and Mathew Tubidy. "Global Youth Culture and Youth Identity". UNESCO. Accessed on 11 May 2011 <http://www.unesco.org/ccivs/New-SiteCCSVI/institutions/jpc-youth/youth-open-forum/Section_for_Youth/Resources_and_tools/Other_documents_on_youth/OXFAM_INTERNATIONAL_YOUTH_PARLIAMENT/Chapter6_Global_Youth_Culture_and_Identity.pdf>

[6] World Population Foundation. Accessed on 29 Apr. 2011 <http://www.wpf.org/reproductive_rights_article/facts>

[7] "Youth Influence Entertainment Spending" Marketing Charts. 14 Dec 2010. Accessed on 11 May 2011. <http://www.marketingcharts.com/direct/youth-influence-entertainment-spending-15360/>

[8] "how Marketers Target Kids". Media and Internet Education Resources. Accessed on 11 May 2011. <http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/parents/marketing/marketers_target_kids.cfm>

[9] "Young World Revolution! - Youth, Technology and Business with Rob Salkowitz". YouTube. Accessed on 11 May 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuHEc5GS8Qc>

[10] Burbary, Ken. "Facebook Demographics Revisited - 2011 Statistics". March 7, 2011. Accessed on 11 May 2011. <http://www.kenburbary.com/2011/03/facebook-demographics-revisited-2011-statistics-2/>

[11] Dalglish, Peter. "Harnessing Youthful Idealism and Dreams". Family Care Foundation. Accessed on 11 May 2011 <http://www.familycare.org/opinions/harnessing-youthful-idealism-and-dreams/>

[12] Felice, Celina Del and Andria Wisler. “The Unexplored Power and Potential of Youth as Peace-builders”. P.24, Journal of Peace Conflict & Development Issue 11, November 2007. www.peacestudiesjournal.org.uk

[13] Wishard, Van. "Major Trends Reshaping the Global Context". World Trends Research. Accessed on 12 May 2011 <http://www.worldtrendsresearch.com/major-trends.php>

[14] World Migration Report 2010: Executive Summary. International Organization for Migration.<http://www.iom.int/jahia/webdav/shared/shared/mainsite/published_docs/wmr-2010/WMR-Executive-Summary.pdf>

[15] Mack, Lauren. "International Migration Has Pros And Cons". TerraDaily. <http://www.terradaily.com/reports/International_Migration_Has_Pros_And_Cons.html>

[16] "Migration" TakingITGlobal.org <http://issues.tigweb.org/migration>

[17] “Young migrants changing the face of China’s cities”. AP News Mar 13, 2011.  <http://asiancorrespondent.com/50183/young-migrants-changing-the-face-of-chinas-cities/>

[18] International Student Migration Fact Sheet.World Education Services. <http://www.wes.org/ca/events/FactSheet.pdf>

[19] Student Migration. Wikipedia. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Student_migration>

[20] Refugee. Wikipedia. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refugee>

[21] Internet World Stats News. Number 063 - April 24, 2011. iws-newsletter@aweber.com; on behalf of; Enrique De Argaez <editor@internetworldstats.com> sent on Tue 26-04-2011 12:44

[22] World Internet Users and Population Stats. Accessed on 12 May 2011 <http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm>

[23] List of countries by nuber of mobile phones in use. Wikipedia. Accessed on 12 May 2011 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_number_of_mobile_phones_in_use>

[24] Who is using the Internet & Social Media? Escape Velocity. Accessed on 12 May 2011 <http://escape-velocity-blog.com/category/evolving-india/>

[25] "Consumerism" Wikipedia

[26] Shah, Anup. “Consumption and Consumerism”. Global Issues. Accessed on 12 May 2011 <http://www.globalissues.org/issue/235/consumption-and-consumerism#>

[27] “Pope visits Sulmona, prays ‘Angelus’”. Vatican Radio. 01/07/2010. Accessed on 12 May 2010 <http://storico.radiovaticana.org/in2/storico/2010-07/405794_pope_visits_sulmona_prays_angelus.html>

[28] Radiant Church. Facebook. Accessed on 12 May 2011 <http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=101006988754>

[29] Acts 2:42 (RSV) “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers”.

[30] Vat II, Lumen Gentium, 1.

[31] John Paul II, Redemptoris Missio, 51

[32] Vat. II. Apostolicam Actuositatem, 2.

[33] Ibid., 19.

[34] Vat. II. Ad Gentes, 2.

[35] Pp John Paul II. Ecclesia in America. Accessed on 30 Apr. 2011 <http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/document.php?n=665>

[36] Pp. John Paul II. Ecclesia in Asia, 3. “…the importance of dialogue as a characteristic mode of the Church’s life in Asia.

[37] Vat. II. Lumen Gentium, 31.

[38] Pope John Paul II. Ecclesia in Asia, 9.

[39] Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, 72

[40] Pope John Paul II, Redemptoris Missio, 51

[41] Vatican Council II, Apostolicam actuositatem, 13.

[42] Pope John Paul II. Dilecti Amici, 1.