CBCP screening PHL delegates to World Youth Day in Spain

Catholic Church officials are screening would-be delegates to this year’s World Youth Day (WYD) in Spain to make sure none of them end up as illegal aliens. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY) said it is screening the applications of some 436 youths from various dioceses. “Our part is more on determining that their participation is really meant for that purpose to celebrate and share faith," ECY executive secretary Father Conegundo Garganta said in an article posted on the CBCP news site. Garganta said some Filipino delegates did not return from the 2002 celebration in Canada and Germany in 2005. Garganta noted that around 1,500 youths have signed for the WYD on August 15 to 21 this year but they belong to other groups. As far as the Church is concerned, he said the ECY is following the usual procedures of ensuring the applicants’ “real intention" in joining the celebration. One way is to look at the applicants’ “level of involvement" in their parishes or dioceses. “Their documents should really satisfy their objective and intention in joining the actual celebration," he said. But he said the WYD celebration in Madrid is not just limited to those who are active in the Church. He said what is really important is the applicant’s “groundedness" in their intention to join the gathering and “not just to become tourists." “They can also be screened based on their involvement in their communities," Garganta said. Meanwhile, the ECY is also assisting Church-based applicants with their documents and acting as the “visa coordinator" with an endorsement by its chairman, Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon. “It is us who will be asked by the (Spanish) consulate [on] the standing of the participants so it’s really a huge responsibility. So it is very important for us to ensure the sincerity of those who will be going to Madrid," Garganta said. Garganta added the Spanish consulate has set June 30 as the deadline for all visa applications. - VVP, GMA News