Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales was in Sydney for Pope Benedict XVI’s World Youth Day visit from July 15 to 20.
Philippine Consul General Maria Theresa P. Lazaro hosted a breakfast at the official residence where Cardinal Rosales met with some Sydney-based Filipino priests and leaders of the Filipino-Australian Community.
Cardinal Rosales said that the World Youth Day, as a gathering of young faithful from all over the world, demonstrates the universality and multicultural richness of the Catholic Church. The pilgrimage also strengthens the faith of hundreds of thousands of youth worldwide.
The Cardinal discussed some developments in the Philippines, such as the interfaith dialogues between Catholic bishops and Muslim ulamas in the Philippines, which has resulted in the strengthening of cooperation and harmonious coexistence of people, particularly in Mindanao. He also gave emphasis to the role of the millions of Filipino migrants as missionaries of the Catholic faith.
The Cardinal shared his personal observations on the positive effects of the Filipino worldwide Diaspora, which is contributing to the resurgence of Catholicism.
Consul General Lazaro informed the Cardinal that almost 3,000 Filipino pilgrims, 12 Filipino bishops, and hundreds of Filipino clergy attended the World Youth Day activities.
The next World Youth Day event will be held in Madrid, Spain, in 2011.
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