Bishops' Reflections

The Archbishop of Westminster, His Eminence Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor:

“It’s the Pope’s first visit to Australia. His visit will be a blessing to the country in a very significant way. Australia has a great appeal - so many young people from England and Wales go to Australia to work there for a while. It is important that young people from England and Wales should support World Youth Day particularly when it is an English speaking country…. We have over 2000 going from this country. Each morning for three days, I meet a large group of about 1000, perhaps more young people from all over the world. I have to give catechesis sessions. I will be talking with them for 20 to 30 minutes and exchanging with them. To meet the young people not just from our own country, but especially from other countries – that will be for me the best part of the trip."

The Bishop of Wrexham, the Right Reverend Edwin Reagan:

“It’s a tremendous time for (young people) to rejoice at being Catholic. We in North Wales we’re such a small part of the population and it’s tremendous for our young people to realise that they do belong to the Catholic Church. We say that we are a worldwide Church stretching right back to the Lord and when they experience World Youth Day they can see it for themselves what the Catholic Church is all about.”

The Bishop of East Anglia, the Right Reverend Michael Evans:

“It’s a pilgrimage with fellow Catholics to try and find the Lord, to have a real sense of them being anointed by the Spirit – to be witnesses which is the theme for this year.”’

The Archbishop of Birmingham, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols:

“I think World Youth Days in the past have always left youngsters with a strong sense of identity.. and that sense of being together with, perhaps, 3 to 4 million others – it just gives so much confidence and so much normality about living life in the presence of God, and that’s such an important thing for us in this country to learn… it’s lovely to bring out that faith and let it express itself.”

The Bishop of Salford, the Right Reverend Terry Brain:

“The thing I’ve found on other World Youth Days that young people have said the great thing they’ve experienced is that they’re not on their own. Often they’ve said “it’s great because I’ve found I’m not the only one who wants to talk to God, in my parish I’m the only one who goes to Mass or says my prayers.. so that’s a great thing that comes out of it that people don’t have to be afraid to talk to God, say their prayers and search for God’s blessing in the sacraments and in the Church life.”

The Bishop of Plymouth, the Right Reverend Christopher Budd:

“Enjoy the prayer, enjoy the company and raise the topics you want to raise.”

Bishop Bernard Longley, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster Diocese:

“I’m travelling to World Youth Day in Sydney with the Diocese of Westminster. I’m very much looking forward to journeying with the young people; to being on pilgrimage together, to getting involved in community projects during the Days in the Diocese and of course to seeing the Holy Father. World Youth Days play an important role in reaffirming young peoples’ faith. When you are surrounded by up to a million young Catholics from across the world, any sense of being isolated as a young Catholic completely disappears. It is a great celebration of faith.”

His Eminence Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko:

“For millions of young people, World Youth Day has become a time to make important life decisions, a true ‘School of Faith’ and ‘marvellous celebration of faith’, a faith full of enthusiasm and joy, of which our world has so much need."

The Archbishop of Sydney, His Eminence Cardinal George Pell:

Without hesitation Cardinal Pell said that he would encourage young Catholics in the UK and Ireland to attend the 23rd World Youth Day in Sydney. “I would certainly strongly urge them to come to Australia for World Youth Day”.

“We are on the other side of the world geographically but the way of life is very similar. I would urge them to come for two reasons. First of all to strengthen their own faith and secondly to help strengthen the faith of young Australians".

“My hopes are that the World Youth Day 2008 will showcase the Catholic package and will strengthen the faith and goodness of many, many young people". (Extracts from an interview by Peter Jennings).