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Rev. Martina V. Kopecká of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church represented the World Council of Churches at a Synod of Bishops (XV Ordinary General Assembly) which met in Rome under the theme “Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment.”
Below, Rev. Kopecká shares her insights about the synod, youth and how we can all reach our human potential.
Q: In what ways was the synod a sign of hope for you?
Rev. Kopecká: I feel very grateful and honored that World Council of Churches was invited to join the Synodal Fathers and is included in the conversations. This is a significant step on our ecumenical journey today and it is an open door for the future. We have the same vision: to pray together, to move and work together. And this is happening now.
Q: What do you regard as the most important mission for young people today?
Rev. Kopecká: I believe that young people are called by God to proclaim the good news, and they also can become the content of this good news. Young people are searching for a sense of life, but sometimes they feel lost or alone in the world. The faith accompanied by hope and love can quell these feelings of loneliness. We can find it in following Jesus and also in a living community of people who can share their life stories and support each other.
Q: What are the biggest talents you think young people bring to the ecumenical movement?
Rev. Kopecká: Young people have many talents and capacities. Young people can build the connection between churches and religions. They just are not asking about the denomination; they want to share faith with no divisions. They are amazing facilitators of communication; they can help to heal many conflicts, because they bring energy and new insight into the complicated situation.
Q: How can young people balance their emotions with their practical actions?
Rev. Kopecká: As human beings we are all dealing with the emotions; feelings are an inseparable part of our lives and we have to reflect on them. Emotions bring energy and call us into action that can be effectively used in the ecumenical movement, and we all can enjoy the passion of youth that we sometimes almost forget.
Q: In times when we start to lose hope, how important is the “small step” we take?
Rev. Kopecká: Every small step is valuable. It means that you are to keep trying and it can change the reality one day, to try to fulfill our human potential and use our talents and God's gifts for the good of all people. To be young, it is also an immense gift.
Synod of Bishops: Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment
