The young delegates will be accompanied by 14 bishops and 80 priests and religious. Before arriving in Sydney they will experience Australia’s Catholic life staying with host families. Indian bishops are hopeful this experience will help them contribute to their country’s development.

New Delhi (AsiaNews) – More than 500 young Indians will take part in this year’s World Youth Day to be held in Sydney, Australia, on 15-20 July. It will be the largest Indian delegation ever. Some 14 bishops, 80 priests, religious and a few representatives of other religions from India will also be coming.

This was a national initiative launched by the Commission for Youth of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) in collaboration with the Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) and Youth Activ8 Foundation under the chairmanship of Mgr Leo Cornelio, archbishop of Bhopal.

Prior to the World Youth Day in Sydney the delegates will take part in a cultural exchange programme, including a social work project experience, living with host families in New Zealand and Australia. Thus they will be able to learn about Catholic life “down under”.

In a press statement the CBCI noted that “the programme is expected not only to enrich the delegates spiritually but also broaden their horizons so that they can contribute towards the development of their motherland.”

• india
• australia
• Sydney
• world
• youth
• day
• commission
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• youth
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• bishops’
• conference
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• india
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• leo
• cornelio
• bhopal
• 15-20
• july