Sunday, July 20, 2008 Prelates grateful to youth for presence in activities
AN OCEAN apart and on separate occasions, two cardinals commended the youth for traveling far and spending much to attend religious congresses.
Sydney, Australia Cardinal George Pell prayed for blessings upon those who had traveled to their country for the World Youth Day celebration from July 15 until today.
As quoted by the Bag-ong Lungsoranon, the Cebu Archdiocese’s official publication, he said he was glad they attended the event “despite the cost, hassles and distances traveled.”
Pell’s words mirrored the message Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal gave youth leaders last week.
Speaking to 300 youth leaders from all over Cebu, Vidal acknowledged the hardships they endured just to attend the 4th Archdiocesan Youth Congress at the Ecotech Center in Lahug, Cebu City last July 10 to 11.
“I am aware that traveling here from each of your parishes is not easy,” he said.
The cardinal’s speech was published by the Bag-ong Lungsoranon.
Vidal even joked before the gathered youth, thanking the different parish priests for helping them pay for their “ransom... aw, sa inyong (I mean your) board and lodging,” in obvious reference to a Mindanao separatist group’s term for money paid for the release of kidnapped victims.
In a column in the same publication, Msgr. Arthur Navales similarly thanked the parish priests for helping the youth pay for fare, food and accommodation during the two-day congress.
Participants came from different parishes, covenanted communities, campus ministries, and the local government sector all over Cebu.
Vidal, Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio, and coastal resource management practitioner Becky Pestaño-Smith respectively spoke to the delegates on compassion, good governance and environmental care.
But while Panlilio and Smith addressed the group in English, Vidal chose to use to speak in Bisaya.
“The compassionate Son, Jesus, was ready and willing to obey the teaching of his parents,” Vidal said.
At the congress’ end, the youth leaders came up with a manifesto stating their plans of action in dealing with the said issues.
Meanwhile, the 67-year-old Pell issued a call to non-practicing Christians, while challenging professing Christians to take risks in their faith.
“Following Christ is not cost-free...because it requires struggling against... our fat, relentless egos (and our) old-fashioned selfishness,” he said. (KAB)
