Bishop: IEC a challenge to understand the Eucharist

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – Bishop Julito Cortes of the Diocese of Dumaguete has described the 51st International Eucharistic Congress as an opportunity for the people, especially Catholics, to have a deeper understanding of the “great mystery of the Eucharist.”

The 51st IEC reeled off Sunday in Cebu with an expected participation of about 15,000 delegates from all over the world.

The Diocese of Dumaguete, led by Bishop Cortes, is represented by about 100 priests who are divided into three groups to attend the IEC which runs from January 24 to January 31.

Bishop Cortes explained the IEC will give the people a chance to have a deeper relationship with the Lord, noting that there is a “tendency” that when receiving Christ in the Eucharistic celebration, many do not know the implications, such as “who are we receiving and what is it all about.”

Aside from a deeper awareness of the Eucharist, a big challenge of the IEC is “to lead us to the social dimension, the invitation to that moment when we have Christ and it gives us the responsibility to reach out to others, especially the poor,” Cortes added. (FREEMAN)