Vatican envoys say Cebu ready for IEC (“Richness in faith and tradition” is major gauge)

CEBU, Philippines - A Vatican committee that is currently here for an ocular inspection has no doubts that Cebu is ready to host the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) in 2016.

In a press conference yesterday, Rev. Pierro Marini, president of the Pontifical Committee for the IEC said they are confident that even with the heavy burden as organizer, Cebu and the Archdiocese of Cebu is ready for the event.

There is no confirmation yet, however, if Pope Francis would be able to attend the congress, which is expected to gather thousands of pilgrims from 120 countries.

“We hope that the Holy Father will come to Cebu, to remark how important it is to celebrate this together,” said Marini,the Archbishop of Vatican.

He said the decision is up to Pope Francis and may be made within a year before the IEC.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma shared yesterday their excitement when it was confirmed three years ago that the IEC would be held in Asia.

That time, he said, they really hoped Cebu would grab the honor as organizer because if it cannot, they have to wait for another 20 years, considering that the Vatican chooses among five continents.

The IEC takes place every four years, and the last time Cebu was able to host the event was in 1937.

It is set on January 24 to 21 in 2016, days after the feast of the Señor Sto. Niño.

In its ocular visit, the Pontifical Committee visited a number of sites, including the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).

Palma confirmed the CICC is a definite location where meetings and exhibits would be held.

The committee also visited the San Pedro Calungsod templete at the South Road Properties and a number of churches in Cebu City.

Rev. Fr. Vitttore Boccardi, committee executive secretary, explained that a place is chosen as congress venue not on the basis on its economy but on its “richness in faith and tradition”.

“We found it in Cebu. We found kind people who are very willing to receive the visitors who will come for the congress. Cebu has been a good choice,” he said.

Msgr. Dennis Villarojo, the committee’s Cebu secretary general, also said they would be coordinating with the local government units and the police for security matters, especially if Pope Francis would be able to make it.

The 50th IEC was held in Dublin, Ireland.

Anne Griffin, 50th IEC general manager, is also in Cebu to help in the preparations and to pass on to the local organizers their inputs.

She said that in Dublin, the IEC was a very helpful event because of its positive effect on the local economy and on the spiritual growth of the people. — /RHM (FREEMAN)