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Bishops set up Youth Day website

Portal to serve all those who can't afford to attend the event in Madrid next month
Bishops set up Youth Day website
Father Conegundo Garganta, Commission on Youth executive secretary, right, and World Youth Day participants attend a press conference today (photo: Sean Salvador)
Published: July 29, 2011 10:23 AM GMT
Updated: July 29, 2011 10:23 AM GMT

The Catholic bishops’ conference has set up an online portal for those who cannot attend World Youth Day celebrations in Madrid, Spain, next month. The conference’s Media Office and the Episcopal Commission on Youth created the portal for those who don’t have the time or the cash to travel to Spain for the Aug. 16-21 event. Youth commission chief, Bishop Joel Baylon of Legazpi, said traveling that far to attend the celebrations is beyond the means of many Filipinos wanting to go. Each delegate needs at least 78,000 pesos (US$1,800) for a return ticket to Madrid, exclusive of the registration fees and living expenses. Bishop Baylon urged those going to Madrid to make use of the portal by sharing their photos, reflections, and videos or links with other social networking sites. “Use the Internet. Tell your friends back home what is happening at World Youth Day. It is your responsibility to share the Good News of that event with other people who will not be in Spain,” he said. The bishop also urged youth ministers to organize activities to create awareness of the global event. “I’m calling on them to set up structures, opportunities, occasions, activities and programs that will help young people appreciate World Youth Day and participate in this event in their own way,” the prelate said. “They can establish ways of increasing awareness of the event especially in the first week of August until World Youth Day ends on August 21,” he added. Bishop Baylon said the essence of the youth gathering transcends the physical celebration in Spain. “It is not just an event happening in Madrid. It is an event of and for young people all over the world and every single young person is invited to participate in it spiritually and in any way she/he can,” he said.

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