Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nov 11, 2011 / 12:25 pm
Archbishop Hector Aguer of La Plata, Argentina, criticized the trend of graduation trips for young people that often include excessive partying and drug and alcohol abuse.
“It’s understandable that young people want to have a good time, but we need to make them think about what that kind of diversion or partying symbolizes,” he said.
Archbishop Aguer, president of the Bishops’ Committee on Catholic Education, made his remarks on his media program, “Keys for a Better World.”
The archbishop insisted that students be given Christian alternatives to graduation party trips and gave some suggestions.
“There are many adventure sports that are great fun for young people, as well as cultural or research trips,” he noted. “They can also take trips to areas where they can show solidarity by helping schools that are in need.”
Archbishop Aguer also observed how dance clubs have become a fad for students and that club owners are turning young people into a means to make a profit.
The growing phenomenon means “they have not properly grasped what they have been taught throughout the many years of their education,” he said.
“As with every dangerous fad,” the archbishop said, “We need to think about what we can do to change it.”