Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - "This World Youth Day (WYD) 2013 in Rio is situated in the context of the Continental Mission wanted in the meeting of the Bishops of CELAM in Aparecida in 2007. At the universal Church level, World Youth Day is also linked to the Synod of Bishops of October 2012 on the New Evangelization: 'Go and make disciples of all nations' (cf. Mt 28:19) is the theme for Rio 2013. Furthermore, WYD will take place in the Year of Faith. The Blessed John II said that 'Faith is strengthened by giving it!' (Redemptoris missio 2). So WYD has the aim of increasing young people's faith in the world for mission". These are the words spoken by Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, during a press conference this morning on the preparation of the XXVIII World Day Youth to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 23 to 28 July 2013.
"We know that 25 years after World Youth Day in Buenos Aires, Latin America will have the opportunity to revitalize missionary enthusiasm among young people and strengthen the preferential option for the youth of our continent from the famous Conference of Puebla –said Archbishop Orani João Tempesta, O. Cist., Archbishop of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro at the press conference -. In recent years one perceives, in Brazil, growth in the economy and a consequent reduction of social differences. WYD will offer an opportunity for growth even in Christian values, solidarity, justice, hope and courage for coming generations".
Archbishop Eduardo Pinheiro da Silva, SDB, Auxiliary Bishop of Campo Grande, President of the Episcopal Commission on Youth of the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops, underlined the "long and rich experience of working with young people", especially starting from the 50s and 60s, and the great commitment of the Brazilian Church for the youth pastoral. "The National Conference of Bishops created last year, a special commission for World Youth Day, with the aim of organizing the pilgrimage of the Cross and Icon of Our Lady in the country and prepare the Mission Week to be celebrated in the days prior to WYD, in all the dioceses " said the Bishop, recalling that the World Youth Day 2013 in Rio" is the largest youth event in the Catholic Church". (SL) (Agenzia Fides 02/04/2012)
