5,000 young Pinoys to join World Youth Day

MANILA, Philippines – Over 5,000 Filipino youths are expected to join the World Youth Day (WYD) with Pope Benedict XVI this July in Sydney, Australia, the Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said yesterday.

The ECY said that of the 6,560 Filipinos who initially registered for the WYD, some 1,000 have already confirmed their participation.

Over 500,000 youths and 180 groups all over the world are expected to join the biennial event that would be held from July 15 to 20.

Bishop Joel Baylon, ECY chairman, said he had met with Philippine Consul General to Sydney Maria Theresa Lazaro during her recent working visit to the Philippines and discussed preparations for the WYD participation of Filipino youths.

The Archdiocese of Sydney has started preparing for the arrival of Filipino pilgrims and clergy, following a meeting between Lazaro and Fr. Menardo Mercene, the Filipino chaplain of the archdiocese.

The ECY is the arm of CBCP that coordinates the WYD preparations for Filipino pilgrims.

The consulate continues to advise Filipino pilgrims and participants to regularly monitor the WYD website (www.wyd2008.org) for updates and instructions.

Lazaro said the delegates should also be aware that the WYD is being held in July, which is the middle of winter in Australia.

“Although Sydney’s winters are usually mild, dry and generally snow-free, the pilgrim should be prepared to anticipate temperatures ranging from 18 degrees Celsius in the morning and eight degrees in the evening and the usual wind chills that may bring the temperature further down,” she said in a statement posted on the website of CBCP.

The consul also reminded Filipino delegates in the WYD that temperatures in the inland suburbs would even be cooler during the event.

The Australian Embassy in Manila organized an Information Day for Philippine delegate leaders, said Geoff Morris, WYD08 Director for Pilgrim Services and Support.

The arrival of tens of thousands of young people from across the globe has sparked growing interest among young Australians since the WYD08 has drawn registrations from more than 170 countries so far, including pilgrims from the Philippines.

This early, Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Sen. Chris Evans is urging people planning to travel to Australia for WYD08 to apply for their visas as soon as possible.

With just three months before Sydney plays host to the weeklong event in July, he said participants who had still not obtained visas to enter the country should apply now so their applications can be processed in time.

“While the rate of applications for visas has been increasing over recent weeks, people must understand that the department cannot guarantee that applications lodged after June 1 will be processed in time for pilgrims to travel to Australia in July,” Evans said.

“With such a large amount of people attending, people cannot afford to wait until the last minute to lodge their visa applications,” he added.

He said the Australian immigration department has already granted over 100 visas in the Philippines and more than 10,000 visas worldwide for the July 15 to July 20 event which is expected to attract up to 125,000 overseas visitors from more than 170 countries.

“As part of the Australian Government’s support for World Youth Day, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship is providing visas for registered pilgrims free of government charges,” Evans said.

The WYD will be the largest event held in Sydney since the 2000 Olympics, with the global gathering to include the first visit to Australia of Pope Benedict XVI.

Australia’s Ambassador designate to the Philippines, Rod Smith, said Australia is a society which has enshrined in law the right for people of different backgrounds to be free to practice their faith.

“Nearly two-thirds of Australians identify themselves as Christians, although all other major religious faiths are also practiced, reflecting Australia’s culturally diverse society,” he said.  – Edu Punay, Michael Punongbayan