Panama Archbishop: WYD 2019
will be “a great celebration of faith”
 |
| Official Logo at World Youth Day 2019 in Panama. |
Organizers of the World Youth Day in January 2019 in Panama,
presented the event at a press conference in Rome on December 11. Themes such
as migration, indigenous people, environment and role of women will also
dominate the event.
By Robin Gomes
Preparations are underway for the Catholic
Church’s World Youth Day (WYD)
that takes centre stage in Panama City, January 22-27. Pope Francis is
scheduled to join the celebrations January 23 onwards.
Addressing journalists at Tuesday’s press conference in
Rome, Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa of Panama said that the WYD will be “a
great celebration of faith." "We are waiting for the Pope and for
the hope he will bring for all of Central America."
Referring to the October Synod of Bishops in the Vatican on
young people, he said that they will be urged to be protagonists of change to
build a different world as Mary did with her unconditional “yes”.
The theme of the 34th WYD is, “I am the
servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38).
The archbishop said that other themes that will dominate the
youth meet will be migration, indigenous people, environment and the role of
women.
World converging on Panama
Facts and figures of this great Church event were presented
at a press conference in Rome on Tuesday. More than 200,000 participants
from 155 countries are expected from five continents. 47,000 have
completed their application formalities and another 168,000 are completing
them, said Giancarlos Candanedo, director of communication for WYD
Panama. Many more, he said, will be coming without registration.
243 are expected from China and 450 from Cuba. Muslims will
also be in attendance, hailing from Jordan and Palestine.
More than 37,000 volunteers from Brazil, Costa Rica, France
and Poland are involved in logistics, assistance and preparation.
Migration
Alluding to the Central American migrant caravan, Arch.
Ulloa said the issue of immigration will be a dominant theme during the WYD
because the Church cannot bear the suffering and pain that many people go
through.
“Young people being forced to emigrate, many suffering at
the hands of drug traffickers,” are just some of the challenges that many young
people face, he said. “I am convinced that Pope Francis will be bringing the
theme of hope,” he said, adding young people need opportunities.
Women
The Panama WYD will also highlight the role of women in the
Church. Archbishop Ulloa pointed out that one cannot conceive a Church,
especially that of Latin America and Central America, that is not kept together
by women.
To stress this fact, the statue of Our Lady of Fatima will
be displayed at the global youth event. “For us, the emphasis will be on
the role of women,” Arch. Ulloa said, explaining that the WYD will be a “great
opportunity to bring forward all the good that women have done through history.”
Indigenous
Among the participants will also be some 1000 young
indigenous people from various parts of the world who will be participating in
the World
Indigenous Youth Gathering 2019 (EMJI) that will take place in Soloy,
Panama, January 17 to 21.
Models for youth
The archbishop pointed out that the Central American Church
is one of martyrdom, and the young people have credible models in saints such
as Romero, Rose of Lima, José Sánchez del Rio and John Paul II. He
confirmed that the Pope will meet all the bishops to feel their pulse.
Families
Arch. Ulloa said the Church of Panama is reaching out to
young people who have no financial means to join the WYD. Many families
will host pilgrims "precisely because the key is to share", he
stressed.
At the end of the meeting, the organizers provided a sample
of Panamanian hospitality by way of a traditional song and dance (watch video
below).
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