Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

A new pastoral framework to guide ministry with youth and young adults — modeled on the Gospel story of two disciples’ encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus — has been approved by the U.S. bishops. "Listen, Teach, Send: A National Pastoral Framework for Ministries with Youth and Young Adults" was presented by Bishop Robert E. Barron during the first public session of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' plenary assembly on June 13 in Louisville at the downtown Omni Louisville Hotel.

Bishop Barron, who serves as chair of the conference’s Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, told fellow bishops this new framework could be a “watershed moment” for ministry with young people. Bishop Barron said that the 1993 World Youth Day in Denver and the release of two national frameworks on youth and young adults 30 years ago was the “last major moment for our church’s work with these age groups. Since then, frankly, enthusiasm has waned while disaffiliation has risen.”

The committee hopes that "Listen, Teach, Send," together with Pope Francis’ encouragement in the synod and in his 2019 encyclical "Christus Vivit," can produce another watershed moment, Bishop Barron said. He described the new framework as “a summons to the church to renew her engagement with youth and young adults,” imitating Jesus Christ on the journey to Emmaus.

Like Jesus in the Gospel story, “We are called deeply to listen to the realities facing young people … to teach in a new way … and finally, to send youth and young adults forth,” as they follow God’s call in their mission to transform the world, he said.

The required number of bishops were not present at the June 14 plenary session to approve the framework — a measure requires two-thirds of the conference’s vote to pass. The framework received 178 votes that day. On June 18, USCCB announced bishops who were absent were allowed to vote, leading to its passage with 188 votes in favor, four against and four abstaining.

Michal Horace, who leads the Archdiocese of Louisville’s Office of Youth and Young Adults, said his office is excited about this new framework and looks forward to sharing it with youth ministers. “It’ll invigorate field and remind folks that everyone is a youth minister,” Horace said in a recent interview. “The best thing is it takes what we learned from synod on youth; fruit Christus Vivit,” results national gatherings such as V Encuentro bring together.”

Horace noted that Road Emmaus story long been his model doing youth ministry pleased see national framework modeled Gospel story well; added this model listening teaching sending aligns office's approach ministry focus accompaniment relationships.”

Horace served committee responsible developing some resources framework will use noted speaks generally about youth including college-age students; however resources implementation tailored towards each group.

In coming months Horace ensure ministers across archdiocese aware pastoral plan: My office take time read reflect spend reading figuring ways use ministry."

In his presentation June 13 Bishop Barron stated Listen Teach Send part response Pope Francis’ 2019 encyclical Christus Vivit which encouraged worldwide create national framework youth ministry.

To come up with framework Committee engaged concerted listening youths families bishops pastoral ministers heard needed streamlined straightforward use pastors families themselves evangelize peers.” Said: "We desire address issues sexuality mental health disaffiliation racial justice polarization desire many transform society.”

Bishop Barron concluded sharing gathering: Most importantly heard cannot silent inactive engagement accompaniment hopes offer new life ministers."