"The WYD will be a communal event of the universal Church: this was said by mgr. Franz-Josef Bode, in charge of the Commission for the Youth Pastoral of the German Bishops Conference. The journey "at the ends of the earth" and "in a Church of the diaspora" is, for the German pilgrims, "a challenge to discuss the contents of Christian faith with young people from different countries and cultures", stated the prelate in Frankfurt, just before leaving for Australia. The participation of over 6000 young Germans in the Australian WYD "is also evidence of the fact the 2005 WYD of Cologne left its mark", stated Sabine Wißdorf, leader of the delegation of the German Bishops Conference in Sydney. The group of people aged 25 to 35 is particularly large: "a group that the Church usually finds it hard to reach out to", commented Bode. Along with the bishops, the delegation will include the archbishop of Munich, mgr. Reinhard Marx, and the archbishop of Cologne, card. Joachim Meisner. For those who stay at home, the Australian WYD events will be broadcasted live on large screens and several initiatives will be held in the dioceses. ” “
