In Ghana, there is a disturbing trend of many young Catholics leaving the Church to join various sects. One priest is not taking this lying down ^[1]:

A leading priest in Ghana has proposed new initiatives to counter the exodus of young people to sects. His proposals include a local edition of the compendium of the Catechism.

The Italian-born Fr. Martino Corazzin told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that young people are leaving the Catholic Church to join various sects that have rapidly grown in the last 25 years. In that time the number of Ghanaians belonging to independent Pentecostal churches, which combine traditional magical beliefs with Christianity, has risen by 400 percent. Fr. Corazzin, who has worked in Ghana since 1991, said an ACN-sponsored Ghanaian edition of the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church will help stop the exodus by allowing youth to know their faith more deeply.

What a wonderful idea! I have often lamented over the fact that so many people join enthusiastic groups that only have part of the Truth – what would happen if all Catholics – who are graced to have the fullness of the Truth – were just as enthusiastic as Fr. Corazzin?

I also commend this priest for recognizing the root issues rather than superficial ones. The article states:

Fr. Corazzin said youth go to the sects’ churches because they want entertainment.

“It is merely superficial,” he said. “That is why the Compendium will be a great help to answer the questions and doubts they have.”

Exactly – you don’t respond to superficiality with more superficiality; instead, you present the full meat of the Faith, knowing that this is what people really desire underneath their yearning for a faith community.

God bless Fr. Corazzin and I pray that his work is fruitful.