Phl eyed to host next World Youth Day

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is being considered to host the next World Youth Day (WYD).

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Youth (CBCP-ECY) chairman Masbate Bishop Joel Baylon said yesterday “it is possible” that WYD would happen in the country either in 2015 or 2016.

“We heard that they are already discussing and considering the Philippines as a venue,” he said.

Baylon said the province of Cebu would be hosting the 51st International Eucharistic Congress, a major Catholic Church event, in 2016. Pope Francis has been invited to attend.

He said Poland, among other countries, is also interested in WYD, which would be an evangelical and catechetical opportunity for their respective Catholic churches.

The Pope would decide and announce where the next WYD would be held. The announcement is usually made on the last day of the event.

This year’s WYD will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This year’s theme is “Go Make Disciples of All Nations.”

The CBCP-ECY would be sending a delegation composed of 175 people – two priests, one religious sister and 172 youth and lay pilgrims.

The WYD is divided into two parts. The first part, from July 16 to 21, is called “Days in the Diocese,” where delegates would be living in one of the dioceses in Brazil.