Kiwis to the forefront at World Youth Day in Panama

Pope Francis arrives for the World Youth Day welcoming ceremony and gathering with young people in Santa Maria la Antigua Field in Panama City Jan. 24, 2019. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) See POPE-PANAMA-WYD-WELCOME Jan. 24, 2019.

Young Kiwis literally took centre stage at World Youth Day in Panama, an event that Palmerston North Bishop Charles Drennan described as “truly transformational for everyone”.

Bishop Charles Drennan and Fr Alister Castillo in Panama City.

Bishop Drennan, who accompanied the young New Zealand pilgrims during the week and a half journey, said Pope Francis “emphasised the need for a culture of encounter, both within the Church and within broader society”.

“I think Pope Francis would love it if we bishops, priests, youth ministers and parish staff etc. were seen less often in offices and more often in people’s homes, classrooms, our streets and fields; talking rather than typing,” he said.

“The best encounter is face to face (incidentally maybe that explains something of young people’s attraction to Adoration). Ear to ear. Jesus was a walker. Constantly on pilgrimage to the final destination of Jerusalem. Yes, of course, our world has changed. But I don’t think anyone dies wishing they spent more time in the office,” Bishop Drennan added.

Close encounter of the Papal kind

Joanna Viernes from Wellington next to Pope Francis (on his right) at the World Youth Day welcoming ceremony and gathering with young people in Santa Maria la Antigua Field in Panama City on January 24 (CNS photo).

Wellingtonian Joanna Viernes was randomly picked as one of five young people representing five different continents during the papal welcome ceremony. She represented Oceania, while the others represented Asia, the Americas, Europe and Africa.

In a Facebook post, Miss Viernes gushed about her experience, which made her one of the most photographed young people at the event and got her a selfie with the Pope.

“I never would have dreamed to come this close to the Holy Father! Praise God for completely spoiling me at my second WYD experience. The young Catholic Church is alive!,” she said.

She also recounted their close encounter with Pope Francis.

“After taking selfies in the elevator after the ceremony, the five of us, Papa Francisco and his security walked into a small hallway with nothing but the door to his private room. He went ahead inside and his team ran in after him, quickly closing the door leaving us youths outside not knowing how to get back to backstage,” she said.

“A few seconds later, Papa swung open the door with his arms wide open and gestured us quickly to come and eat with him. What a generous and gentle soul this man has!”

Laudato Si’ Generation

Aucklander Dewy Sacayan was also one of five young people who opened “Laudato Si’ in Action”, a programme that launched the “Laudato Si’ Generation”.

“Just as how we have come together here to show how connected we are as humans, Pope Francis also wants us to recognise our connection with the rest of creation. That’s why we, the young people of Asia-Pacific are responding to the Pope’s Laudato Si’ call,” she said.

“Hailing from the Philippines, I have seen the devastating effects of climate-driven disasters. He wants us to recognise and listen to the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth. This is why a true ecological approach is also a true social approach. Everything is connected. We are all connected,” she said.

The young people presented a Laudato Si’ manifesto to Caritas Internationalis president Cardinal Luis Tagle.

Performing for the pilgrims

Grace Worship, a musical Christian band representing Oceania, also performed for the pilgrims twice – first at the Administracion del Canal de Panama stage and then at the Figali stage.

“It’s been a surreal experience ministering here with the team in Panama,” said Joseph Sapati Moeono-Kolio, a member of the group.

“Three years ago in Poland, I sat and watched bands and worship teams from around the world performing at WYD and dreamt of bringing my team to sing at one, to bring the sounds and spirituality of Oceania to the world and to affirm the message of unity which Jesus prayed for before he died,” he said.

The band members come from different Christian denominations, including Catholic, which is an affirmation of St John Paul II’s teaching on Christian unity in “Ut Unim Sint”, Mr Moeono-Kolio said.

He said the group was invited to perform in Lisbon, Portugal at the next World Youth Day.

Teaching moment

The New Zealand contingent in Panama. Photo courtesy of Rochelle Dias.

Bishop Drennan was also tapped to do catechesis (or teaching) sessions at WYD. With a very diverse group of young people, Bishop Drennan inevitably had to deal with issues to do with sexuality.

“Transgender, and being gay – were the first two. A bishop is exposed answering those. But that’s leadership. I don’t mind putting my neck on the line for love,” he said.

Bishop Drennan said that, in some cases, it is time for theology to catch up with science.

“To pretend that homosexuality and gender dysphoria do not exist or are somehow outside God’s plan for humanity, is a rejection, not defence, of truth and thus nonsensical. The inadequacy of the commentary on sexuality of some within the Church I believe is impacting negatively on the entire credibility of the Church,” he added.

A question from a girl from Jamaica left him speechless, though. She asked Bishop Drennan why the Church defines her as the result of fornication.

“I was reduced to silence for some time, not because I didn’t have a response, but because the thought of that young woman’s pain (and I assumed also her Mum’s) left me only with the language of a lumpy throat: silence,” he said.

“We, the Church, will always fall short in communicating God’s love. We are human and limited. But every privileged moment of truly sharing another’s pain will be a step of purification and hope for us all and those we encounter,” he added.

Bishop Drennan said the challenge for him when he comes back home is to spend less time behind his desk and more time encountering people face to face.

In Panama City, the Kiwis were hosted by the St James the Apostle parish in the poorer and predominantly Caribbean suburb of Rio Abajo.

 

 

 

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Rowena Orejana

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