NO less than the head of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) – Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY) will lead the country’s delegation in the World Youth Day (WYD) 2023, which is set to begin today in Lisbon, Portugal.
In a social media post, the CBCP-ECY said that its chairman, Bishop Rex Andrew Alarcon, arrived in Lisbon on Sunday to join the 1,500 Filipino pilgrims in the international youth event.
“Bishop Rex will join in the week-long celebration of the WYD together with many other bishops from around the globe,” the CBCP-ECY said.
The Philippine delegation is part of the more than 67,000 pilgrims from 126 countries who will participate in the event, which will run from August 1 to 6.
Aside from leading the Philippine delegation, Alarcon will also participate in one of the lined-up activities in the six-day gathering.
“He will also conduct one of the Rise Up Encounters for the English-speaking delegates of the WYD 2023,” said CBCP-ECY.
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 Rise Up Encounters will occur on the mornings of August 2 to 4 in churches and other designated venues.
Established by Pope John Paul II in 1985, the WYD takes place every three years, with the last one held in Panama.
