Archbishop encourages youths to look beyond fashion and celebrity

The head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales has appealed to secondary school pupils to say 'no' to what is wrong.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols made the appeal in a video message sent to all 50 Catholic secondary schools in the Diocese of Westminster.

Pupils were advised to “learn how to be generous with what is right and how to say ‘no’ to what is wrong”.

The Archbishop encouraged them to move away from the values of fashion and celebrity by seeking “true and lasting values” and to acquire “the habits and routines of good behaviour”.

He lamented that "mutual respect and responsibility went out of the window" during the days of rioting and looting in the capital last month.

"I know that many of you were upset at what you saw ... Since then much has been said about young people today," he said.

"But I am confident that you do understand the issues involved: that we owe respect to others in every circumstance; that theft is wrong; that we are easily tempted in the spur of a moment; that the actions we take always have their consequences.”

The video message will be shown to students at the start of the new school year.

The Archbishop concluded with a reminder to students that they were a child of God and that God's desire was to see them flourish.

"This truth lies at the heart of the life of your school community. I trust that in this coming year you will continue to learn more about the greatness of human living and achievement, about your faith in God made visible in Jesus Christ who is your friend and companion, about your own abilities and true potential.”