Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Honiara (Agenzia Fides) - They have come to Solomon Islands for an experience of study (many are history, economy, development students), volunteer work, encounter and sharing with other young people, communion of faith in view of World Youth Day next July in Sydney Australia. This is the spirit of twinning initiatives between young Australians and young people from other parts of Oceania, in preparation for this major Church event next Summer in Sydney, which will bring young Christians from all over the world together from 15 to 20 July.
The Catholic Communications Office in Honiara informed Fides that recently five young Australians came to Solomon Islands to duty and work, take part in meetings and liturgies with other young people. The young volunteers, who will stay for five weeks, are happy to have this opportunity to learn about a different culture and to share the spirit of World Youth Day with young people in Solomons, many of whom would like to take part in WYD
The local Catholic Church gives special attention youth pastoral. The population is young and young people are often victims of social problems such as unemployment, crime and abuse of alcohol. The faith can help overcome these evils.
Twinning programmes of cultural and religious sharing with young Australians have been organised with Solomon Islands Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Wallis and Futuna. In July 2008 some 125 young Catholics from Tonga will take part in a World Youth Day for the first time. In Papua New Guinea Italian missionaries of PIME (Pontificio Istituto Missioni Estere), have launched a project to help 30 less fortunate young people take part in the WYD in Sydney. In the meantime Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth are preparing to host the young visitors.
In Italy the national youth pastoral service has opened a special web site www.gmg2008.it to provide young Italian Catholics with information about the event. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 14/1/2008 righe 26 parole 269)
