~カトリック堺教会ニュース 2017年10月号より~

「今の青年を見て」
                        
                       堺ブロックチーム Fr. パトリック
 
 10月が近づくにつれて、青年達の笑顔が頭に浮んで来ます。JOC(カトリック青年労働者連盟)の国際会議は例年10月頃に開催され、世界中の青年らは元気よく集会します。そこでは各国における労働問題、人間らしくない生活や青年の抱えている困難などを前向きに論じ合います。

  4年に一度行われる国際評議会が昨年10月ドイツで開催され、それに私は参加させて頂きました。五大陸から集まって来たのは活気ある若者達でした。ドイツと言えば、ビールが国民的飲料と言われますがビールは私の大好物で、会議が終わった後、のど越しに心地良いビールを青年達と一緒に飲んだことが何よりも最高の一時でした。今も彼らの姿を思い出す度に、何故か思い出し笑いが出てしまい、懐かしく思います。

  このように日本国内や国際的な活動を通じて、青年たちが置かれた状況が、どれほど厳しいものであるかを把握出来るようになって来ました。日本JOCの青年達には、様々な家庭の事情があり、精神的に弱ったり、苦労を感じる生活をしているようです。
この問題について、日本JOCの若者に限らず一般的な若者にもあることです。

  例えば、信者の方からよく耳にするのが仕事や、結婚に対する不安です。「いのちへのまなざし」という増補新版本によると、晩婚化と結婚しない男女が増えていくことについて、“1970年には男26.9歳、女24.2歳であった平均初婚年齢は2015年には男31.1歳、女29.4歳にまで上昇。生涯未婚率は2010年の数値で男が20.14%,女が10.61%で、2000年からの十年間で、ほぼ倍に近い増加を示しています……経済的基盤が整わず、結婚を望んでいても躊躇してしまう若者もいます”とあります。日本では労働のあり方や、価値観の多様化が進み、思うようにいかないという若者が増えていると思います。結婚とは異なる道を歩むのにはこういった外的な理由と、様々な内的な理由があります。当然、自分の生活で精一杯になり、結婚出来ない、しないという生き方を選ぶという若者は少なくありません。私はこの社会のプレッシャーに対して、若者の未来に希望が本当にあるのか不安になりますが……。
  今年の10月15日から27日にかけて、フィリピンのマニラでJOCアジア会議が開催されます。

 2人の青年が日本JOC代表として参加されますが、私は通訳者として同行します。アジアの青年らと会えることを楽しみにすると同時に、「一期一会」という言葉通り一人ひとりとの出会いを通して、色々な人々と笑顔で接することを大切にし、色んな問題に目を向け、分かち合いたいと思います。

             Looking at the Youth of Today

                                     Sakai Bloc Fr. Patrick
As the month of October draws near, the smiling faces of young people easily come to my mind. Usually, International Meeting of JOC (Young Christian Workers) takes place every October and those will come to gather are lively young people coming from different parts of the world. It is in this gathering that they positively discuss the labor problems of every country and the indecent lifestyle that they are currently facing.
I had an opportunity to participate in the International Council held in Germany last October. The said council is convened once in four years. Those who gathered were energetic and active young people who came all the way from 5 continents of the world. Speaking of Germany, “beer” is the most popular beverage and the national drink of Germany. I guess everybody knows that my all-time favorite drink is “beer”. After the tiring whole day discussion, drinking beer, that made us refreshed and soothed our throats, was the best moment for all of us. That’s why I somehow burst into laugher every time I remember their gestures, smiles and those fond memories.
Through this International and domestic kind of gathering, I came to grasp how harsh is the situation of the young people and the condition where they are living in. In Japan JOC, most of the members are mentally weak, have different sorts of family problems and live a life full of difficulties. These problems are felt not only to the JOC members but also to the ordinary Japanese young people.
For instance, I always hear parishioners talking about the anxiety of work and marriage. In the revised and enlarged edition, Reverence for Life: A New Look, (published by Bishops’ Conference of Japan) confirms the increasing number of late marriage and those who do not marry. It briefly explains that: “In Japan today, in addition to the fact that late marriage is increasing, a growing number of men and women do not marry at all. In 1970, the average age of men at the time of their first marriage was 26.9 years old and for women was 24.2. In 2015, the figure for men was 31.1 and for women was 29.4. In addition, the number of people who never marry is increasing. In 2010, 20.14 percent of men and 10.61 percent of women had never married. This is nearly double the rate in 2000…Even if they desire marriage, some young people hesitate because they lack the financial wherewithal.” This clearly shows that, in Japan, there is a growing number of young people who differ in their approach on the meaning of work and the changes in attitudes/ values when things would not get well as expected. Besides, there are external and internal reasons that lead to break the bonds of marriage. Of course, even if they do their utmost best yet still many young people cannot marry or choose to remain single all his/her life. Indeed, having this kind of social/economical pressures toward the youth, I am worried if there is really “hope” in the future of the young people……
There is an Asia JOC Continental Meeting, which will be taken place in Manila on October 15 till 27. Two young leaders will participate as representatives of JOC Japan, whereas yours truly will also attend to help in the translation. There’s a proverb that says, “the only chance in a life-time”. So, I look forward to meeting with the Asian youth, at the same time, to treasure my encounter with every person and relate with the people with a smile. Moreover, I’m willing to share to them the various problems that we have and hopefully find solutions together.
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