The Cross that unites” “

The next World Youth Day (WYD) in Cologne is drawing ever nearer: the WYD Cross recently made its entry into Germany, crossing through an important symbol of this country: the Brandenburg Gate. To find out about the preparations and contents of the German WYD we interviewed Msgr. Franz-Josef Bode, bishop of Osnabrück and chairman of the Commission for youth ministry of the German Episcopal Conference. Just over a year before the 20th WYD, what’s your preliminary assessment at “the level of content”? “We are working flat out on the contents of the liturgical celebrations and catechesis for WYD, as well as on the programme of events for the youth festival of culture. A particularly useful aid for our spiritual preparation is being given to us by the “path of reconciliation”, by the route of the WYD Cross in its journey through Europe. It shows that the young walk with the cross and bear this symbol of the love of God in a visible way in the world. Now in its twentieth year of pilgrimage, this simple wooden cross invites the young of many nations to welcome the message of peace, salvation and redemption. As unifying sign of the faith and anticipation of World Youth Day, it encourages solidarity and reconciliation”. So reconciliation plays an important role. Will this also be reflected in the sacrament of confession? “The sacrament of Reconciliation has characterised past WYDs in a particular way. Cologne will be no different. It will be possible to confess oneself not only in churches but also in a “centre of reconciliation”, installed on an ad hoc basis. Our pastoral staff are now working on the planning of this centre”. What about the logistical aspects? “Preparations for the 20th World Youth Day have been in full swing for over a year now, both in its organizing Office in Cologne and in the German dioceses in which, at the beginning of the event, the “days of meeting” will take place. Some important phases in the planning process have already been completed in Cologne; the areas for the major events have been identified, and the contract for the architectural layout of the venues has been awarded. Offers of accommodation and other facilities are now being received from cities and parishes”. The first week of WYD will take place in the dioceses: with what expectations? “The “days of meeting” in the German dioceses are a great occasion. The introduction of these days, also held during previous WYDs, is the happy brainchild of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. They will enable international guests to get to know a part of the variegated situation in Germany. An important component is the “Day for Social Commitment”: with the aim of rendering tangible the social dimension of the message of Jesus, German youth and their guests will launch real social projects in all dioceses. As the first step, the “host” youngsters will study the characteristics of their own parishes: average age of parishioners, available social institutions, number of unemployed, number of foreign citizens, and so on. On the basis of this information, a social project in which their WYD guests will also participate will then be selected, for example the renovation of a community centre or work on the fitting out of a children’s playground. The slogan of this day is “ under construction – you too can build a better world!” and makes direct reference to the Pope’s appeal to build “a civilization of love and justice”. In Germany ecumenism plays a significant role: will the same be true of WYD? “The Pope has invited young people from all over the world to attend WYD. That means that the youth of other Christian confessions are also welcome. We are delighted by the hospitality being offered by Evangelical parishes, which will enable part of our guests to be given overnight accommodation in their parish centres. We are evaluating how in practice to give an ecumenical accent to the event in agreement with the Pontifical Council for the Laity”. What are the hopes of the German Church? “Personally, I believe that the WYD can give new impulses to the work of our youth ministry. At the same time, it’s an occasion to enable us to make visible the fact that the Church has a very young face. In Germany it’s unprecedented for all youth energies to be focused so single-mindedly on a single purpose”.