Those who spoke included the Director of the Press Office Fr Federico Lombardi SJ, Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko, President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity; Cardinal Antonio María Rouco Varela, Archbishop of Madrid; Dr. Yago de la Cierva, Executive Director of the WYD 2011; Mrs Elsa Vázquez Maggio, an international volunteer and Mr. José Antonio Martínez Fuentes, Head of the General Secretariat, with responsibility for the registration of the WYD 2011 pilgrims.
“WYD has now become a special feature in the life of the universal church which in a constant way encourages her in her commitment on behalf of the younger generations”, Cardinal Ryłko said in his introduction. The preparation has been for the Spanish Church a “kairos” which has enabled her to “rediscover herself, her great spiritual resourses,… and to appreciate the precious resourses of the young people themselves, of the Pastors and of all those who in their own fields have been able to bear witness, sometimes in surprising ways of genuine commitment and great generosity.” Quoting the message of the Holy Father Benedict XVI for WYD 2011, the Cardinal re-affirmed the fundamental purpose to be evangelisation in which the young are the main protagonists.
Cardinal Rouco Varela spoke about the efforts of the Spanish Church in hosting the WYD 2011 and the historical, cultural and religious values of the city of Madrid.
The Executive Director of the WYD 2011 Dr. Yago de la Cierva, described the decisions taken in the areas of logistics, communication and finance, emphasising the support provided by the Spanish authorities and the local authorities of Madrid through various concessions such as not charging for Visas. He gave assurances that all the necessary work would be completed in time including those not yet started. Given Spain’s particular economic situation the costs have been kept under control and managed in such a way as to bring out the “pilgrimage” dimension of the WYD. However, this has not prevented them creating a solidarity fund to enable many young people to be present in Madrid.
In the name of all the WTD volunteers, Elsa Vázquez Maggio spoke about her own experience. Mexican by birth, then moving to Australia, Elsa is spending a sabbatical year from a well-known Australian Bank, to which she will return on 1 29 August, as an international volunteer. Finally José Antonio Martínez Fuentes spoke about the plans for welcoming the young pilgrims.
According to information provided by COL, these are the figures for WYD 2011:For those unable to travel and to open up participation as far as possible meetings of young people are planned linked world-vision of by internet such as for example in the Ukraine, Burundi, Madagascar.
At the end of the Press Conference, presenting his book “Generazione GMG”, Mimmo Muolo mentioned a conversation he had had with Cardinal Rouco Varela who pointed out how the involvement of John Paul II” had brought together three generations: that post ’68, that after the fall of the wall, and the current one – of the digital era.
On ANSchannel two official spots about WYD produced by COL are available. A - B
Published 29/06/2011
