Catholic parishes urged to hold World Youth Day activities

As many Filipino Catholic youths cannot go to Madrid, Spain for the "World Youth Day" (WYD) celebration, a bishop urged parishes to hold their own "WYD" activities. Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Youth chairman Legazpi (Albay) Bishop Joel Baylon said “WYD is not just an event that happens in Madrid. It is an event of young people all over the world and every single young person is invited to participate in it spiritually and in many ways that they can." Baylon noted that some Filipino delegates to the WYD celebration in Madrid are backing out due to money issues. The CBCP noted each delegate would have to spend at least $1,800 (P78,000) for a two-way trip to Madrid, Spain. “This is where our youth ministry structures get into the picture. They can establish ways to increase awareness on the WYD, most especially starting on the first week of August until WYD culminates on August 21," Baylon said. Baylon encourage parishes to teach the youths the WYD theme song and animation. He also encourage them to produce modules that will emphasize the WYD’s theme “Stand firm in the faith." “I’m calling them to set up structures, opportunities, occasions, activities and programs that will help our young people appreciate WYD and participate in this event in their own ways," Baylon said. Backing out Earlier, the CBCP said a number of delegates have said they are canceling their participation in the WYD activities in Spain. CBCP Episcopal Commission on Youth Executive Secretary Fr. Conegundo Garganta said even those who were already issued visas decided to back out because they cannot afford the airfare. The CBCP-ECY had an official delegation of 436 pilgrims but Garganta did not say how many were backing out. The number of Philippine delegates to the WYD this year is about half of some 800 delegates the ECY sent to the last WYD in Sydney, Australia in 2008. - VVP, GMA News