Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Krakow (Agenzia Fides) – The leaders of the great world religions, leaders of countries, as well as men and women of the world of culture will meet in Krakow, September 6-8, upon the invitation of the Community of Sant'Egidio and the city's Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz, for the international encounter, which will be entitled: “The Spirit of Assisi in Krakow” The native city of John Paul II, where the great Pope received his cultural, humanistic and spiritual training, will be attract leaders of the great religions, on the 70th anniversary of the beginning of World War II, to seek means to peace and reconciliation. One important event will be a pilgrimage, unprecedented in size and representation, to the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp, which will take place on September 8. This will serve as a sign of reconciliation and peace and a symbol of a radical rejection of violence and war as a way of solving international conflicts.
The program for the encounter begins with its inauguration on September 6, with a Mass presided by Cardinal Dziwisz at the Divine Mercy Shrine. In the afternoon, there will be an Inaugural Assembly in the Auditorium “Maximum” of Krakow. On September 7, there will be 22 round-table discussions in various parts of the city, which will address various themes including: Do Not Forget Auschwitz; the Legacy of John Paul II; Latin America in a Globalized World; Religions and the Challenge of Materialism; Dialogue of Faith and Culture; Faiths in Asia: Building a World Without Violence; Africa, Land of Opportunity; Religions and Global Health of the World: the Rebirth of Africa; The Power of Prayer Over History; Faith and Science.” The final day, September 8, in the morning there will be a Silent March to the gas chambers of the concentration camp at Birkenau and a Memorial Ceremony at the International Monument to the Victims of Nazi-fascism. In the afternoon, following the prayer encounters at various sites, the various religious communities will meet for a “Peace Procession” that will make its way to “Market Square,” where the Closing Ceremony will be held. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 4/9/2009)
