Hungary to host 2020 IEC

CEBU, Philippines - The 52nd International Eucharistic Congress in 2020 will be in Budapest, Hungary.

Pope Francis announced this over a pre-recorded video shown to the hundreds of thousands of people gathered during yesterday’s culminating activity of the 51st IEC at the South Road Properties in Cebu City.

“I am happy to announce that the next International Eucharistic Congress will take place in 2020 in Budapest, Hungary,” he said, eliciting applause from the crowd. The Hungarian delegates also erupted in joy while waving flags.

IEC is held after every four years. It aims to promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Church and draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist.

Like the Philippines, 2020 would be second time for Hungary to host the IEC. In 1938, the 34th IEC was held in Budapest, just a year after it was held in Manila in 1937.

There’s no specific date yet for the IEC in the Hungarian capital but the event normally lasts for eight days, opening on a Sunday and ending on the following Sunday.

In response, Peter Cardinal Erdo, Archbishop of Esztergom, thanked the Holy Father for the announcement.

“Thank you very much for the splendid opportunity for all of us, Hungarians,” he said.

Edro also thanked Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma; Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle; Archbishop Piero Marini, president of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses; local churches officials; the faithful; organizers; and volunteers, among others, for the successful 51st IEC.

“On behalf of the Hungarian people, thank you very much for the beautiful event,” he said, adding that the event has “strengthened their faith and fraternal communion and solidarity”.

Erdo hoped that pilgrims from Cebu and other parts of the Philippines would also participate in the IEC in Hungary, a country deeply scarred by a long period of Communist regime.

“With greatest and deepest gratitude, I invite you all to Hungary,” he said.

After Erdo accepted the hosting duties, Palma and some youths of Cebu turned over the IEC relic to him. — /RHM (FREEMAN)