FEWER than 15 per cent of teenagers in Ireland think it is wrong to have sexual intercourse before marriage and 23 per cent of 16 year olds have experimented with drugs, the Church of Ireland General Synod was told yesterday.
Mr Roy Totten presented a report by the synod's Young Adult Forum, which says the vast majority of young people are owned by the world and its standards, not by the church." They were, however, genuinely asking. if they could find help, warmth friendship, acceptance and direction in the church.
Unemployment, family breakdown and hopelessness were affecting a growing number of young people and all this added up to a "very sad statistic that 125 people aged under 25 committed suicide in 1995," he said.
The young people who had attended the forum in January showed a desire for change which was unmistakable, but it was for change through partnership and not through revolution.
The delegates, Mr Totten said, displayed a surprising conservatism in that theme was no desire to throw overboard the history and tradition of the Church of Ireland expressed in her prayer book, her music or her structures.
On the contrary, there was a heartfelt cry for variety in worship styles and forms, for access for young people into the decision making processes and recognition of the potential of the young adults of the church."
The Young Adult Forum's report suggested partnerships with other churches and denominations for joint action on issues such as misuse of drugs family breakdown unemployment and teenage sex. It said the provision of meaningful opportunities for involvement in church services would recognise the significant contribution young people could make.
Regular youth services organised in partnership with people and exploring a variety forms of worship would young people a meaningful in the life and witness of the parish.
The synod was asked to review and evaluate religious education for children, young people adults in local parishes. Doing on a regular basis would that the church stayed in touch with questions and issues.
It also suggested that young, adult forums be held in dioceses and parishes, that there should be, "shadow diocesan synods" for, parish people, shadow vestries, parish youth councils and even the selection of young people as members of the Select Vestry.
