World Youth Day: The church as an institution faces a crucial test

Pope Francis wants a church for all. But on big issues like sexuality, there are conflicting opinions among believers. A huge challenge for the Catholic Church.

It was a superlative celebration of faith. One and a half million people gathered in Lisbon to pray with Pope Francis, to worship with him. The 86-year-old was celebrated by the youth like a rock star. “He inspires me,” says a young woman from Portugal. Another from Colombia has tears in her eyes.

At the first major event after the Corona pandemic, the Catholic Church shows what it can do. Or rather: what her youth can do. She came from more than 150 countries – Brazil, Korea, Guatemala. The young people sang, danced, prayed. Full of passion, full of joy, full of hope. World Youth Day 2023 vividly demonstrated that the Catholic Church is universal, a global community across borders. It is their unique selling point, what sets them apart from others – no question about it.

Big anger about abuse scandals in Portugal

But amidst all the jubilation, it didn’t go unnoticed that there were other sides too. In Lisbon, Pope Francis met with abuse victims. The first abuse study was only published in February in the host country Portugal. The anger was great. Because of the abuse, many people have turned their backs on the Church. Not only, but especially in Europe. Not only, but above all in Germany.

Also because of the doctrine of sexuality, many no longer feel at home in the church. Gay, Lesbian, Transgender. They fight for their rights, the Pope encourages them. However, homosexual couples are still not allowed to be blessed. And while homosexuality is accepted by many on the European continent, it is taboo in most countries in Africa. The subject of sexuality does not unite the church, it challenges it.

At the World Youth Day, participants with rainbow flags were mobbed by other participants – they were bothered by the symbol of solidarity for sexual and gender diversity. Opinions are also divided on the future role of women. While it goes without saying for most Catholics in France, Portugal or Germany that women should have more say in the church, things are very different in many parts of the world.

Believers should weigh in before World Synod

Pope Francis has called a world synod for October. In the run-up, all believers should be allowed to say what is on their minds, what they want to change, how they imagine their church to be. He himself set the direction for this at this World Youth Day: The church is open to everyone – “todos, todos, todos” he called to his young fans. But what happens when some people want to bless gay couples, but others vehemently reject it?

What happens when some want to put women in the church on an equal footing with men, but others oppose it? What happens when some want priests to be allowed to marry. But the others are still against it? According to Francis, the Church is open to everyone. But what rights will everyone have? The universal church is facing one of its greatest tests. This World Youth Day also showed that.