Download PDF version of this page27/06/2008
Press release
Issued by the Catholic Communications Network
Sydney welcomes the Catholic Olympic Torch
Sydney welcomes the Catholic Olympic Torch
The Catholic equivalent to the Olympic Torch, the World Youth Day wooden cross, has arrived in Sydney after travelling across the world and throughout the host country, Australia. The cross was introduced by Pope John Paul II when he created WYD in 1984 to symbolise Christ’s love for all people.
The cross which has an Icon of Our Lady and an Indigenous Message Stick arrived in Australia on the 1st July for a 15 day walking pilgrimage around each Australian diocese. It will make various stops including cathedrals, the Great Barrier Reef, war memorials and even shopping centres and sports stadiums and the walk is expected to gather huge crowds.
WYD ’08 Coordinator Bishop Anthony Fisher said: “The purpose of the WYD cross, Icon and Message Stick are to invite young people to World Youth Day and to spread a message of hope, peace and Christ’s love for humanity.”
“Sydneysiders will again feel the excitement of an international event, as they did during the Olympics.”
The excitement of World Youth Day is growing in England and Wales as hundreds of thousands of young pilgrims prepare for the trip to Australia.
Pilgrims from all over the world will gather in Sydney from 15-20th July for WYD events including stations of the cross, various youth festivals, catechesis sessions and the final mass with the pope in which 500,000 pilgrims are expected to attend.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
e. ccn@cbcew.org.uk t. 020 7901 4800 w. www.catholicchurch.org.uk www.wyd2008.org
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