The CBCP Episcopal Commission on Youth said this will allow young Filipinos who could not make it to Brazil to to experience the international event in Rio de Janeiro on July 23 to 28.
“(O)ur office asks youth ministries within our network to organize local celebrations of the WYD in Rio which was also discussed in the recent National Youth Coordinating Council 2013. We commend those youth ministry offices which have already commenced efforts on this regard,” ECY said.
It released guidelines for diocesan youth directors, coordinators, leaders, and youth ministers on the matter.
The ECY’s move was in response to call by Stanislaw Cardinal Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
Rylko, in a message at the preparatory meeting for WYD 2013 last November, noted many youths will not be able to go to Rio due to various limitations.
“(H)e encouraged youth ministries to help them participate at least spiritually or even through a simultaneous local celebration,” the CBCP said.
The ECY said at least three local simultaneous celebrations have been organized in Luzon.
One is organized by the Diocese of Cubao with Ateneo de Manila Gym in Quezon City as the venue.
The second is jointly organized by FNYO/Military Ordinariate/National Capital Region diocese with Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati City as the main venue.
The third is in Calamba City in Laguna, with the Diocese of San Pablo, Laguna as the organizer. — LBG, GMA News
