Some 30 Turkish participants are expected to attend WYD in Toronto. That is a reduced number in comparison with those who flocked to Rome for the WYD there in 2000. But if the quantity is small, the quality is “quite respectable”, also in view of the ecumenical character of the delegation. Apart from representatives of the six Catholic dioceses of Turkey, the participants will also include youth of Syriac-Orthodox, Greek-Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic rite. Led by Father François Yakan of the Chaldaean community and chairman of the Turkish WYD Committee, the young participants will meet in the days ahead to prepare for the event and for the catechesis they will be given in Toronto. Apart from Father Yakan, the Turkish youth delegation will be accompanied by Bishop Giuseppe Bernardini of Smorne and Sister Colomba Blumenthal of the parish of Santa Maria at Trebizond.
