Australian Bishops Countdown to WYD Has Begun

(3 July 08 -RV) Pope Benedict XVI received Sir Nathaniel Rahumaea Waena, governor general of the Solomon Islands in audience today at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo. Discussions focused on the current political and social situation of the south pacific country, and on the significant contribution of the Catholic Church, especially in the fields of education, healthcare and human promotion. In a separate meeting the secretary for Relations with States Archbishop Mamberti, thanked the governor general and the authorities of the Solomon Islands for their generous outreach to young people who wish to participate in the forthcoming celebration of World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia, recognising the formative importance of the event. With only ten days to go the official opening of the week long global gathering, Catherine Smibert has been gauging the atmosphere down under ahead of Pope Benedict’s arrival. She spoke to Bishop Julian Porteous, Rector of the Seminary of the Good Shepherd, Homebush and auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of Sydney...