The Diocesan Youth Secretariat of the Catholic Diocese of Cape Palmas has successfully concluded its fifth annual Diocesan Youth Festival, held this year in February at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Greenville. The parish, the only Catholic church in Sinoe County in South-Eastern Liberia, hosted the five-day gathering despite difficult road conditions that required participants to endure nearly a full day’s journey on rugged dirt roads.
A total of 220 young Catholics from nine parishes and their outstations across the diocese attended the festival. Participants gathered under the theme, “Servant Leadership: Leading with a Heart,” inspired by John 12:4–5 and 15:17. The atmosphere throughout the week was marked by visible joy, enthusiasm, and deep spiritual reflection, as the young people fully embraced the spirit and purpose of the event
The annual youth festival, initiated by His Excellency Bishop Andrew J. Karnley, with its first edition at St. Francis Parish in Pleebo City, Maryland County, has grown into a cornerstone of spiritual growth and leadership development for young people in the diocese. Since its inception, the festival has offered youth a unique opportunity to deepen their faith, engage in prayer and reflection, and develop skills for service and leadership within their communities.
By fostering fellowship, mentorship, and active participation in church life, the festival has inspired many young people to embrace their faith more fully and take on meaningful roles in the life of the diocese.
The festival opened with registration, orientation, and a vocation evening, setting a reflective and faith-centered tone. Each day blended spiritual formation with practical guidance, featuring morning prayers, Holy Mass, interactive faith sessions, confessions, Eucharistic adoration, vocational talks, and structured recreational activities.
A key highlight was the Diocesan Youth Assembly Convention, which convened youth delegates for strategic discussions on leadership, youth engagement, and pastoral priorities.
Cultural and sporting competitions including dance, rap, debates, and doctrinal quizzes fostered creativity, teamwork, and leadership among participants.
Speaking during the event, the Diocesan Youth Coordinator, Fr. Ernest Wisner, emphasized the festival’s purpose. “The Youth Fest is aimed at helping young people improve their relationship with Jesus and reminding them that the bishop is entrusting the Church to the youth as its future,” he said. “A Church without youth does not have a future.”
At the opening Mass, the host pastor, Fr. Amos Cornelius Sikar, reminded the young people of their role in the Church. “The Church is not only for the clergy but also for the youth,” he said in his homily. “Do not isolate yourselves from the life of the Church. Be close to Christ through your actions and service.”
Fr. Sikar delivered the festival’s first major formation talk on servant leadership. He distinguished Christian leadership from secular models, stressing sacrifice, humility, and love as demonstrated by Christ. Citing Matthew 20:26–28, he noted that true leadership prioritizes service over self-interest, recalling Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. “Leadership involves elevating others rather than oneself,” he said, urging young people to cultivate integrity, prayer, and obedience to the commandment of love (John 13:34). “A good leader seeks the Lord, commits his way to Him, and allows God to direct his steps” he said.
Formation sessions were further enriched by speakers, including Fr. Christopher Harmon of Divine Mercy Parish in River Gee County and Sr. Benetta Dweh of the Sisters of the Holy Family Congregation. They addressed vocations, the sacraments, the Holy Eucharist, and Christian social responsibility. “The sacraments serve as the medium by which Heaven touches earth,” Fr. Harmon stated, while cautioning that the Church cannot withstand the test of time if young people shy away from priesthood, religious life, or Christian marriage.
William Mentor Flomo, President of the Monrovia Archdiocesan Youth, who visited the youth fest emphasized collaboration and the need for parallel programs that strengthen youth engagement across all the 3 dioceses of Liberia. He proposed a unified decision for Liberia’s three dioceses to function as one Catholic Youth body. The move, he said, will strengthen Youth Fest and other national initiatives.
Addressing participants directly, he reminded them of the joy and opportunities found in serving God while young. “You were not created to be spectators,” he said. “You are the Church’s strength, voice, present, and future.” He expressed hope for the revival of a National Catholic Youth Festival that would unite Catholic youth across Liberia.
Beyond prayer and formation, the festival extended into the wider community. Participants marched through the main streets of Greenville in a colorful parade, praying the Rosary and singing Catholic hymns as an act of evangelization. Sporting activities included football matches against other denominational churches and school teams, drawing enthusiastic community support. Both boys’ and girls’ matches were played, amid lively cheers from spectators.
The festival concluded with a solemn closing Mass. In his final address, Fr. Ernest Wisner urged the youth to embrace responsibility for the Church’s future. “The bishop has turned the Church over to you,” he said. “Be ready to serve and take responsibility for its growth. Do not listen to voices that lead you away from God. There is great joy in serving Him.”
A Diocesan King and Queen contest brought the celebrations to a festive close. Emmanuel Teah and Philomena Toe of St. Joseph Parish were crowned Diocesan Youth King and Queen -the first time Greenville has claimed both titles.
The event ended with evaluation sessions and a cleanup exercise before participants departed Sunday evening and Monday morning. Organizers described the festival as successful in nurturing the spiritual, moral, intellectual, and social development of young people while strengthening unity and discipline within the diocese.
Fr. Sikar, who presided over the closing liturgy, expressed gratitude to donors and contributors for their support and encouraged the youth to remain steadfast in their faith.
Among those who actively participated throughout the festival were Rev. Fr. Joseph Rajendro Nayak, SMA, Associate Pastor at the Christ the King Catholic Church in Sasstown, Mariama Amie Gebeh – Queen of the Monrovia Archdiocesan Youth, Richie Brooks of the Monrovia Archdiocesan Youth Assembly and Wilfred Lawrence D’Souza, a Salesian family member.
- Report by Fr Amos Cornelius Sikar,
Parish Administrator, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Greenville
