Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - “Today more than ever Europe is a land of mission” Bishop Denis Theurillat auxiliary of Basle and national delegate for youth pastoral said as the Church in Switzerland prepares to welcome Pope John Paul on a weekend visit to Bern 5 and 6 June. “The people of Europe and Switzerland need to hear the Good News of the Gospel, especially young people searching for a path for life and meaning to life. There is great excitement about the Pope’s visit also among the other Christian communities in our country who respect and admire the Holy Father”.
This will be the Pope’s 3rd visit to Switzerland after the first to address the International Labour Organisation on 15 June 1982 and a national Pastoral Visit 12 to 17 June 1984. This time the Pope has been invited to preside Switzerland’s 1st National Meeting of young Catholics.
“The situation of the Church here is multiform,» said Bishop Theurillat. “We hope that the Pope’s visit will strengthen Church unity so that we may learn to dialogue with the Reformed Churches and also with those who are distant from the faith”.
“Rise Up” (Lk 7, 14), the motto chosen for the Youth Meeting, is a call to all Swiss youth in all the dioceses to arise and come together to share the daily experience and their anxieties, their joys and their faith. The call is also addressed to young people who are unfamiliar with the Church but are willing to listen to their Catholic friends as they bear witness to the hope they carry in their hearts.
This first National Youth Meeting will be an occasion for human, ecclesial and spiritual growth around Pope John Paul II who has a special mission to entrust to them: to be men and women of courage, armed with faith and love, bearers of hope and builders of the Church of the third millennium.
In a presentation of the event the Catholic Bishops’ Conference said the aim is to offer young people an opportunity to come together to share their joy of life and faith; help them find answers to their questions and a basis on which to consolidate their faith. It will also be an opportunity to live the dimension of the life as Christians see it: a pilgrimage and a moving forward together as Church. The Bishops express satisfaction that several thousand people are already on their way to Bern to take part. This is the first time that Catholic youth groups and leaders from dioceses in all four-language areas of Switzerland come together for a national meeting.
On Saturday 5 June the Pope will preside a youth prayer vigil at Bern’s ice sports stadium and the next day Sunday 6 June he will preside Mass at Allmend Field. In the evening he will return to Rome. (P.L.R.) (Agenzia Fides 4/6/2004 - Righe 37; Parole 519)
