Eighteen youths and three staff are representing the nine dioceses of South Sudan and Sudan at the World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, next month.
Pastoral coordinator at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference General Secretariat Philip Bingo told CRN that every diocese in South Sudan and Sudan is sending two youths.Fr Bingo said he is very excited to lead for the first time the pilgrims to the Catholic youth festival in Brazil.
He added that he was very happy to meet Pope Francis in Rio.
Fr Bingo explained that the delegation from both Sudans does not have a concrete role to play in the festival because they registered late.
He added that the South Sudanese and Sudanese youths will discuss what they are going to present in Rio as soon as they gather in Juba to leave for Brazil.
Fr Bingo said flights and participation in the Rio World Youth Day cost 120 thousand US Dollars.
Aid to the Church in Need is funding the participation of South Sudan and Sudan delegation to the youth festival.
World Youth Day Rio 2013 runs from July 23 to 28 under the theme “Go and make disciples of all nations.”
The festival includes catechesis, testimonies, sharing, examples of love of one’s neighbour and the Church, music festivals, cultural and liturgical activities.
Over 84,000 people have offered to welcome and assist the pilgrims during World Youth Day celebrations.
The organizers said 149 extra flights were confirmed for World Youth Day celebrations in Rio de Janeiro.