Filipino bishops will be leading the Philippines’ delegates to this year’s World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon, Portugal. Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma and Bishop Rex Andrew Alarcon, head of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) – Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY), are now in Portugal for the religious gathering which opens on Tuesday. In separate social media posts on Monday, the Archdiocese of Cebu said Palma has already met with other participants from the archdiocese who are now in Lisbon while the CBCP-ECY reported that Alarcon arrived at the host country on Sunday. “Our very own CBCP-ECY Chairman Bishop Rex Andrew Alarcon has finally arrived in Lisbon, Portugal for the World Youth Day. Bishop Rex will join in the week-long celebration of the WYD together with many other bishops from around the globe,” the CBCP-ECY added. At least 1,500 Filipino pilgrims are part of the Philippine delegation to the WYD 2023. More than 67,000 participants from 126 countries are expected to join the religious event which will run from August 1 to 6. Meanwhile, the Commission said the Philippine delegation will also participate in one of the lined-up activities in the six-day gathering. “He (Alarcon) will also conduct one of the Rise Up Encounters for the English-speaking delegates of the WYD 2023,” it added. The Rise Up Encounters is a new model of World Youth Day catechesis, wherein the youth are challenged to reflect on the teachings of Pope Francis. The events are scheduled on the mornings of Aug. 2 to 4 in churches and other designated venues. Established by Pope John Paul II in 1985, the WYD is held every three years, the latest of which was hosted by Panama. Pope Francis is expected to attend the event
Source: Philippines News Agency
