Youth highlights struggle to Pope Francis

A female youth has highlighted struggles faced by the young people of this country, asking for Pope Francis prayers.

Bernadette Turmoni, represented the Catholic youths this morning to speak on their behalf, when meeting with the Holy Father this morning at the Sir John Guise stadium before his departure.

Pope Francis has always had a special place for youths, in his Christus Vivit book, he says Christ is alive and so young people must also be alive.

Bernadette Turmoni when speaking on behalf of the Catholic youths in the country, says young people encounter many problems but do not know how to resolve them.

She questioned how it was possible that one abuse in the family is rampant and destroys the lives of young men and women.

“We all come from families which were meant to shape and mold us into our future selves. We hear about it daily in the news and crime reports. Abuse destroys the lives of young men and women.

“Those who have suffered from it feel unloved and disrespected. They lose hope and may commit suicide or leave their families,” Turmoni said.

She says the other issue was poverty and in a country like PNG rich in minerals, why poverty was on the rise.
Turmoni asked for the Holy Father's prayers for the youths of this country.

“Poverty is one reason why young people are not completing their studies or pursuing their dreams and desires. It causes them to turn to illegal things, to find ways to earn money by selling drugs and stealing.

“If you were to go around Port Moresby, you would see young people begging for money, food, and even sleeping on the roadside. Sometimes I ask myself, how can this problem be dealt with or controlled? What can we do to stop this from happening?” Turmoni added.