” “Card. Simonis, president of the Dutch Bishops Conference, is the remarkable author of a savings scheme for young Dutchmen wishing to take part in the next WYD, due from 15th to 20th July 2008 in Sidney. The scheme has been announced on the website www.jongkatholiek.nl: the entrants can win a free journey to Sidney. Young people subscribing to the scheme will be given an account on which they can pay money before the journey and receive interests at high but variable rates of about 3.5%, to be updated according to the Euribor; in addition, these young people will be given a 100-euro bonus by the Dutch bishops. The scheme is sponsored by Vnb, a Dutch Catholic tour operator, and Pax Bank, which had already contributed to the WYD of Cologne. The commercial, available on the website, shows a kangaroo riding a scooter to the Bishop’s Palace, ringing the bell and being welcomed by card. Simonis on the door, where the two stay talking about the scheme. The kangaroo notices that the young people before the journey had to save a lot of money: the journey actually costs about 2,000 euros, but the cardinal thinks many young people will subscribe to the scheme. A catholic youth day will be held on November 5th in Niewegein. ” “
