AFRICA/MALAWI – Bishop of Dedza turns to young people and warns them about the risk of betting as a means of survival

Dedza – The gambling sector is increasingly perceived by young people as a means of survival, especially in the most difficult economic contexts. “Many young people turn to betting in the hope of earning a living, especially at a time when unemployment is high, and some have no reliable source of income beyond support from their parents,” said the Bishop of Dedza, Peter Adrian Chifukwa, on the occasion of the closing Mass of the National Annual General Meeting of Young Christian Workers , held with the participation of some 300 people at St. Joseph’s Teachers Training College in the diocese.

According to the prelate, rising youth unemployment and rising living costs are pushing young people into a betting, a practice that exposes them to social, moral, and economic risks, and often cultivates harmful tendencies and behaviors that can negatively affect their lives and values.

“It can lead to behaviors such as stealing, because one becomes obsessed with always having money available for betting, driven by the hope of winning more,” Chifukwa noted, encouraging young people to seek honest and dignified ways of sustaining themselves. “Whenever young people encounter serious worries, it is important that they share their struggles with others,” he added. “When problems are shared, one realizes that every challenge can be addressed in one way or another.”

Bishop Chifukwa also emphasized that the Catholic Church considers the Young Christian Workers movement a key channel for reaching young people. “We see the Young Catholic Workers as our arms in reaching their peers. They are missionaries among young people, and they contribute to helping to make Jesus known and understood in a way that resonates with them.”

Highlighting the importance of regular meetings, such as the annual general assemblies, the National Youth Chaplain, Father Patrick Kamba, emphasized the fundamental role they play in identifying and addressing the challenges facing youth. “These meetings allow them to exchange ideas and successful initiatives that can be implemented in their respective communities,” he concluded.

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