SFA-AGR-088-08

PHILIPPINE CONSUL GENERAL MEETS WITH FILIPINO CLERGY TO DISCUSS PREPARATIONS FOR WORLD YOUTH DAY 2008 CELEBRATION IN SYDNEY

26 February 2008 – Philippine Consul General to Sydney Maria Theresa Lazaro reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs on a series of meetings with several members of the clergy to discuss preparations for Filipino pilgrims who are expected to arrive in Sydney to participate in the upcoming World Youth Day (WYD) 2008 Celebation to be held in various venues throughout the City of Sydney on 15-20 July 2008. 

Consul General Lazaro met with Fr. Menardo Mercene, Filipino Chaplain of the Archdiocese of Sydney, to discuss the ongoing preparations in anticipation of the arrival of Filipino pilgrims and clergy.  The Consul General also met with Reverend Bishop Joel Baylon, Chair of the Episcopal Commission on the Youth (ECY) during her recent working visit to the Philippines. 

“The meetings that I had with Fr. Mercene in Sydney and Bishop Baylon in Manila were very productive undertakings since they presented opportunities by which we could best coordinate efforts to assist pilgrims from the Philippines before and during the event.  The consulate has been receiving queries from Filipinos regarding the event.  We thought it best to directly link with key Filipino organizers so that the pilgrims would be up-to-date with the latest developments in the preparations.”  Consul General Lazaro said. 

The ECY is the arm of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) that coordinates the World Youth Day preparations for Filipino pilgrims. 

According to the latest figures provided by the WYD organizers, there are now an estimated 187 groups with 6,560 expected Filipino participants who have registered for the event.  Of these, more than 900 pilgrims coming from the Philippines have been confirmed to date. 

The consulate advises pilgrims and participants from the Philippines to regularly monitor the WYD website, http://www.wyd2008.org, for updates and instructions.  There is an accompanying registration fee to participate in the event.  Visiting Filipino pilgrims are also advised to take note of the limitations of their selected registration packages, particularly their health insurance coverage.  Filipino pilgrims who intend to stay for a period beyond the coverage of their health insurance are strongly advised to carefully consider getting additional travel and health insurance to cover unforeseen personal circumstances.  The WYD website states that the health cover “is for emergency medical treatment and repatriation to the home country.  It will cover the package period plus the three days immediately before and after the package period provided that the travel from/to the home country is direct to/from Sydney.” 

Visiting Filipino pilgrims should also be aware that the WYD Sydney is being held in July, when it is considered to be the depth of the winter season in Australia.  Although Sydney’s winters are usually mild, dry and generally snow-free, the pilgrim should be nonetheless prepared to anticipate temperatures ranging from 18 degrees Celsius in the morning and 8 degrees in the evening and the usual wind chills that may bring the temperature further down.  Those intending to reside in the inland suburbs would find the temperatures even colder. 

Visiting Filipino pilgrims should also consider that the cost of goods, services, and transport around and outside of Sydney are high and must be taken into account when planning one’s budgetary requirements for attending the event and other tourism-related activities. 

Further information on World Youth Day 2008 arrangements could be obtained from the following: 

1.1.    Registration and general inquiries: 

Email:  gle@wyd2008.org

2.2.    Home-stay arrangements and Filipino community WYD-related events in Sydney: 

     Rev. Fr. Menardo “Nards” Mercene

     Chaplain, Filipino Chaplaincy of the Archdiocese of Sydney

     Tel No:     (612) 9604-5512

     Fax No:    (612) 9604-5380

     Email:      frnards@idx.com.au

3.3.   WYD-related information in the Philippines: 

     Most Rev. Bishop Joel Baylon

     Chair, Episcopal Commission on the Youth

     Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines

     Email:      ecy@info.com.ph

 The highlight of the WYD 2008 celebrations will begin on 15 July with an opening mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Sydney Cardinal George Pell.  Catechesis sessions and youth festival events will be held for the next two days; to be followed by the Stations of the Cross re-enactment throughout the City; the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI, and an evening vigil, culminating in a mass on 20 July.  The closing mass will be held at the Randwick Racecourse. 

The WYD organizers expect an estimated 500,000 participants attending at least one event durint the World Youth Day week.  This includes 125,000 overseas pilgrims.  A media contingent of 3,000-5,000 is also expected to cover the event.  This is the 10^th International World Youth Day celebration since it was held in 1986 by the late Pope John Paul II. END

/wingret