Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Valencia (Fides Service) - Preparations continue for the 5th World Meeting of Families in Valencia 1-9 July 2006. The Archbishop of Valencia, Archbishop Agustín García - Gasco, has sent a personal invitation to more than 4000 Catholic diocesan Bishops all over the world, urging them to be present, especially for the main event the World Meeting of Families Mass presided by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday 9 July. On 3 December during a meeting in the Vatican with presidents of Latin American Bishops Commissions for the Family and Life the Pope assured this celebration of his “full support” and encouraged Bishops’ Conferences, dioceses, movements to take part in “this important event”. Participation has already been pledged by Church movements and associations such as the Focolari, Communion and Liberation, Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Neocatecumen Way, Knights of Colombus, S. Egidio Community
Yesterday January 10 the president of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference Bishop Ricardo Blázquez, the Vice president Bishop Antonio Cañizares and the secretary general visited Valencia to view preparations and visit the sites chosen for the main events. The World Meeting of Families will start with an International Family Fair, 1-7 July and an International Theological-Pastoral Congress 4-7 July. On July 7 there will be a Family Rosary. The next day there will be masses for various language groups and a meeting of festivity and testimonials. The main event on Sunday 9 July will be World Meeting of Families Mass presided by the Holy Father.
The organisation with regard to volunteer helpers will be ready by the end of January. Volunteers are needed to welcome participants at train stations and airports; provide information at various points in Valencia; collaborate with the press centre and the logistic centre.
According to the organisers already pilgrims from 25 different countries have enrolled, mainly from America, but also from Kenya, Nigeria, Cape Verde and Tanzania. The official 5th World Meeting of Families web page has registered more than 1.5 million visitors from all over the world and is the main source of information on the event. The web site has seven language versions and offers information on the programme, forum for volunteers, testimonials and messages of support from families all over the world. Visitors may also access a series of nine articles prepared jointly by the Pontifical Council for the Family and the archdiocese of Valencia. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 11/1/2006 - righe 34, parole 452)
For more info see:
http://www.wmf2006.org/es/index.php
