1.5 million young people in Lisbon gathering and St George's played its part!

 

The Roman Catholic World Youth Day (which lasted a week from 1 to 6 August!) was likely the largest gathering of youth within the geographic territory of the Diocese. 1.5 million young people from around the world gathered in Lisbon for the week’s events which included times of prayer, teaching, worship, cultural activities and meetings with Pope Francis.


St George’s Anglican Church in Lisbon, with their priests, Mthr Ruth Bendrey and Fr Iain Bendrey, had a vision of collaborating with a key Roman Catholic movement, the Chemin Neuf Community to host a series of ecumenical gatherings at St George’s during the week. They were assisted by Honourary Assitant priest at St George's, Fr Steve Danzey. 

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell and the Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome, Archbishop Ian Ernest, were among the key speakers invited for the week.




Young adults from the Diocese in Europe joined us, from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine. Some Anglicans even came from as far away as East Malaysia!




St George’s was filled with young people at every event, and it is clear that we have a great potential to host young people for such gathering in future. Fr Iain, who is also our Diocese’s Young Vocations Champion, is keen to make this happen!


The week ended with a young person receiving the sacrament of baptism (by immersion) and others receiving the sacrament of confirmation. A fitting end to a week of vibrant faith!






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