Cebu: all set for the International Eucharistic Congress

Some 10,000 people from around the world are expected at the meeting, centred on "Christ in you, our hope of glory." Keynote speakers include cardinals from Yangon, Mumbai, Abuja and New York. The Eucharist is the heart of the mission and dialogue with other religions.

Manila (AsiaNews) – About 10,000 people are getting ready to take part in the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu (Philippines) on 24 January 2016. A three-day theological symposium will precede it, at the same venue, starting this Wednesday.

Pope Benedict XVI chose Cebu site in June 2012, at the last International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin (Ireland). This year’s gathering will be centred on "Christ in you, our hope of glory’. For the Philippines, it will also be the second time it hosts the Congress. The previous one, the 30th, was held in 1937 in accordance with Pope Pius XI’s wishes.

At the time, the pontiff wanted to emphasise the importance of the Eucharist and the bond with the Church's missionary activity, and chose the Asian country for its important Catholic population. Even today, the latter is, along with East Timor, the only nation in the continent with a Catholic majority.

Other factors played a role in picking the location, this according to the archbishop of Cebu, Mgr Palma. “First, the Congress takes place a week after Santo Niño celebrations, which are closely related to the arrival of Christianity in the country. Second, we are preparing the 500 years of evangelisation in the country, which began in 1521”.

The meeting’s topic is drawn from the Epistle of Paul to the Colossians. For the prelate, it “underlines how the eschatological tension inherent in the Eucharist provides impetus to Christians’ journey in history, by planting a seed of hope in everyone’s evangelising efforts in today’s world”.

God’s gift to young people and work for Asia’s poorest will also be part of the discussion about hope.

“We expect around 20 cardinals, 50 bishops from other countries, and at least, 100 Filipino bishops,” Mgr Palma said. Altogether, “we have 8,345 registered pilgrims representing 57 nations,” plus “5,000 volunteers” with “600 host families who will welcome pilgrims”. In addition, “we set up a Solidarity and Communion Committee to provide a dignified participation for our poor brothers and sisters.”

Activities will be divided into two main parts, the theological symposium and the Congress itself, which will end on 31 January. Card Charles Maung Bo, archbishop of Yangon, was appointed papal legate.

Among the topics to be addressed are "Liturgy and inculturation", "Evangelisation in the secular world", "Eucharist and dialogue with other cultures", and "Eucharist and the interfaith-relationship".

The main speakers includes Card Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, Card John Onaiyekan of Abuja, Card Timothy Dolan of New Work, and of course Card Luis Antonio Tagle, archbishop of Manila.

Fr Sebastiano D'Ambra, a missionary of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, who has lived and worked in Mindanao for years, will also address the conference.

• philippines
• international
• eucharistic
• congress
• theological
• symposium