VATICAN CITY — The Synod of Bishops wanted to speak to the world’s young people with a special letter that was to be drafted by a commission representing the global church.
The eight-person commission is made up of four bishops, two young women — one from the United States — the leader of the Taiźe community and an Italian priest, all of whom are taking part in the synod.
During the proceedings of the synod on young people, the faith and vocational discernment, some synod members had proposed crafting a letter addressed to all young people around the world, the Vatican said 18 October.
With Pope Francis’ consent, an international commission was set up to draft the text, which was then to be reviewed by the synod participants.
The people on the commission were:
- Cardinal Dieudonne Nzapalainga of Bangui, Central African Republic, who is the youngest member of the College of Cardinals at 51.
- Auxiliary Bishop Emmanuel Gobilliard of Lyon, France.
- Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney, Australia.
- Bishop Eduardo Garcia of San Justo, Argentina.
- Sister Briana Santiago, a 27-year-old member of the Apostles of the Interior Life from San Antonio, Texas.
- Anastasia Indrawan, a 30-year-old member of the Youth Commission of Indonesian bishops’ conference.
- Brother Alois Leser, a German Catholic and the prior of the Taiźe ecumenical community.
- Father Michele Falabretti, director of the Italian bishops’ national service for the pastoral care of young people.
