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NZEALAND-DAYS Jul-11-2008 (320 words) xxxi
New Zealand bishop tells youths WYD shows church's universality
By Peter Grace
Catholic News Service
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (CNS) -- Auckland's bishop told thousands of young pilgrims that World Youth Day exposes local churches to the strength, variety and universality of the Catholic Church.
"You enrich us," Bishop Patrick Dunn of Auckland said to nearly 3,000 pilgrims from New Zealand and abroad gathered in Auckland July 11. "You give us a glimpse of the church in other countries, other continents."
The pilgrims gathered for a civic reception in their honor as part of the Days in the Diocese event July 10-14. The pre-World Youth Day program brings young people face to face with Catholics from around Australia and New Zealand. World Youth Day is July 15-20 in Sydney, Australia.
New Zealand's governor-general, the queen of England's representative in the country, told the international visitors and several hundred locals that there was often much media comment about the "youth problem."
However, since his appointment in 2006, Anand Satyanand said, he and his wife had traveled extensively in New Zealand, giving out prizes to many young people who challenge that notion.
"Many have succeeded despite facing many obstacles," the country's first Catholic governor-general said, reiterating what Pope Benedict XVI often has said, that young people plant seeds of hope.
Before the event, a roll call announced the countries the pilgrims represented. They included Argentina, Canada, Egypt, France, India, Italy, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, Qatar, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Tahiti, Uruguay, United States and New Zealand. The longest and loudest cheers came from the U.S. contingent.
About 4,000 international pilgrims are spending time in New Zealand for the Days in the Diocese. Tens of thousands more are in Australian dioceses spending time with local families and parishes there.
New Zealand is sending approximately 4,000 pilgrims to Sydney for World Youth Day, by far its largest group ever. About 100 New Zealanders were in Cologne, Germany, for World Youth Day in 2005.
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Copyright (c) 2008 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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