World Youth Days 2002 in Toronto: Comment by CCCB President Gerald Wiesner, OMI

Sunday, August 20 2000

My Dear Friends,

It is with great joy and pride that I greet the news that Canada will host World Youth Days in 2002. Our experience at World Youth Days in Italy over the past few days has reflected the spirit-filled expression of exuberance showing just how dynamic is the faith of young Catholics from Canada and around the world.

The World Youth Days 2002 experience will begin in many dioceses throughout Canada in mid-July 2002 and culminate in the great gathering and celebration to be held in Toronto at the end of July. It will be an opportunity for the Church in Canada to share its hospitality and the natural friendliness for which our country is known with hundreds of thousands of people from around the world. It will also be an important moment for young Catholics in Canada to share with one another their faith and their hopes for their Church.

The task of organizing such a mammoth undertaking will rely heavily on our young people in order to make it a success. Already, an organizing committee under the chairmanship of Most Reverend Anthony Meagher, Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto, and directed by Rev. Thomas Rosica, CSB, has begun the task of drawing up plans for WYD 2002. We know Canadian Catholics will support the organizers with their prayers and their help in making WYD2002 a memorable success.

Hosting such a major event will be both a challenge and a blessing to Catholics in Canada and, with the grace of God, it will reap meaningful pastoral benefits and many blessings for generations to come.

I wish to thank the Holy Father for entrusting Toronto and Canada with the honour of being able to host young Catholics from around the world.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Most Rev. Gerald Wiesner, OMI
Bishop of Prince George
President
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops