Transforming Society Amidst Chaos: A Guide by OSV Editors
In the heart of modern society, a crisis is unfolding. The mental health of many young people is in a state of disarray, with minds clouded, lives devoid of purpose, and hearts hardened. This troubling reality has been underscored by a series of disturbing events over the past month, as three young men, aged between 16 and 23, have either committed or attempted acts of violence in public arenas.
This violence, fueled by the pervasive availability of firearms in our country, serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences when the darkness that resides in the human mind is given free rein. The society we live in is in crisis, and it is time for every citizen to take a stand.
In a bid to address this crisis, Pope Leo XIV is working on integrating synodality for community and communion within the church. However, the growing dismissal of organized religion has meant that fewer people are encountering and coming to know Jesus Christ. This spiritual void is further exacerbated by an addiction to the internet, including access to its darkest corners, which is causing the brains of young people to be warped.
The perpetrators of these acts of violence match the profile of recent mass shooting perpetrators, being male and young. This troubling trend has led to calls for a change in attitude towards gun violence, with organizations such as the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence advocating for stricter gun control policies in the USA.
The cultural breakdown has devalued human life and dignity, glorifying violence, and diminishing the value of the family. In contrast, the lives of Sts. Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati serve as an invitation for young people to direct their lives upwards and make them masterpieces.
The ubiquitous adoption of smartphones has turned Gen Xers and Millennials into walking guinea pigs for Big Tech. People have given their data, faces, habits, fingerprints, and credit cards to Big Tech without a second thought. This continuous connectivity addiction has led to social isolation and loneliness, further contributing to the mental health crisis among young people.
In addressing this complex issue, the solution lies in replacing screen time with prayer time, prioritizing family, belonging to a real community, providing mental health support grounded in natural law, and working for effective policies that minimize opportunities for gun violence.
The members of the OSV Editorial Board, including Father Patrick Briscoe, OP; Gretchen R. Crowe; Paulina Guzik; Peter Jesserer Smith and Scott P. Richert, stand at the forefront of this discussion, aiming to provide insightful and thought-provoking perspectives on these pressing issues.
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