Out of the cathedral of Melbourne, St. Patrick’s, the air is sparkling and an international atmosphere can be breathed all around. Voices from the world and from places in which people cannot freely practise their religion. Vietnam is here too. "I think this is a fantastic opportunity, especially this World Youth Day. There are pilgrims coming from all over the world and it’s wonderful to meet different cultures", explains a young Vietnamese girl, aged 24. A country, hers, in which Buddhism is the main religion and "that is just opening to the freedom of cult". "The Catholic community is growing bigger and bigger goes on the girl , the country is changing and the government supports us, but freely professing one’s religion is not always an option". The eastern delegation includes a 39-year-old seminarian, father Tong Nauycn, who has been studying in California for years. "This is not the first time I attend a WYD: I was in Toronto in 2002 and, even now, you can breathe a multicultural atmosphere". "Unfortunately he complains , it’s difficult for me to know where my country stands, because I have been living abroad for years. It’s hard, but what I feel is a slow opening and the desire to leave the bad memories behind".
