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Cardenal Francisco Javier Errázuriz, Misa y catequesis en Colonia Cardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz, Mass and catequesis in Cologne Kardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz, Messe und Katechese in Köln Foto: POS Fischer © 2005 |
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WYD/COLOGNE In the presence of hundreds of youths from Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala and El Salvador, Cardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz, Archbishop of Santiago, Chile and president of CELAM, presented on August 19th a catechesis within the framework of the WYD in Cologne. The catechesis took place at St. Joseph parish in Bergisch Gladbach near Cologne. On the 18th, when the Holy Father arrived, Cardinal Errázuriz celebrated Holy Mass with the Chilean delegation after his pilgrimage to the cathedral.
During the catechesis, the youths listened attentively when he spoke on marriage, the family, sexuality, and the distribution of goods based on the gospel text which refers to the Magi. The Cardinal indicated that the return trip to their native countries is marked with joy, interior freedom and saying "no" to idols like consumerism and materialism For the Archbishop, the road which takes the Magi back to their homes is filled with truth. In this sense, he rejected divorce, abortion, and homosexual marriage as part of God’s plan. In conclusion, Cardinal Errázurriz recalled the words of John Paul II in the previous WYD when he challenged the youth to be the light of the World, "a new generation of builders of society is needed; a generation that will place brick upon brick to construct the Kingdom of God in the center of the city of mankind."
Then Cardinal Errázurriz presided in a Eucharistic celebration in St. Joseph Church in which Spanish-speaking youths participated. Peruvian, Spanish, and Chilean priests concelebrated.
"Chile can expect much from the youth"
The Chilean delegation which participates in the 20th WYD, among hundreds of Latinamerican pilgrims, celebrated on the 18th of August the Eucharist which was presided over by Cardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz. Present was an image of the future Chilean saint, Father Alberto Hurtado.
Referring to the numerous participation from Chile at the 20th WYD, the Archbishop of Santiago said that Chile "can expect much from these youths. They are persons who expand his heart to beat proudly and thus they want to follow the paths of the saints, especially of Father Hurtado on this 18th; of Theresa of the Andes, of Laurita and of so many extraordinary persons we have had in history. This is a great hope for our country," he emphasized.
Cardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz was accompanied by the President of the National Pastoral Youth Commission, Bishop Cristián Contreras and by more than 40 men and women religious from throughout the World.
The Chilean encounter took place in an open space of Cologne called Tanzbrunnen and had as a background the bank of the Rhine River and the towers of the Cologne Cathedral.
Translation: Carlos Cantu, La Feria, TX, USA