50^th International Eucharistic Congress starts in Dublin

(June 11, 2012) An international congress celebrating the Eucharist as the foundation of the Catholic faith, opened on Sunday in Ireland against a backdrop of anger over child abuse cover-ups and evidence of declining faith in core church beliefs. About 12,500 Catholics, many from overseas, gathered for an open-air Mass inside the Royal Dublin Society Arena at the start of the 50^th International Eucharistic Congress, on the theme, “The Eucharist: Communion with Christ and with one another'. Held every four years in a different location in the world, the weeklong event organized by the Vatican, aims to promote the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist as central to the life and mission of the Catholic Church. In also promotes a greater understanding of liturgy and the social dimension of the Eucharist. In his introductory remarks at the start of the Mass, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin, president of the Eucharistic Congress expressed the Irish Church’s joy at being able to witness the universality of the Catholic faith with representatives from around the world attending the June 10 -17 Eucharistic Congress. He also led a moment of silence dedicated to those unknown tens of thousands of children molested or raped by priests. The prelate admitted that the Irish church had harboured “a darker side of sinful and criminal abuse and neglect of those weakest in our society: children, who should have been the object of the greatest care and support and Christ-like love.'' He remembered all the unfortunate victims who “still today bear the mark of that abuse and may well carry it with them for the rest of their lives.” In his homily at the opening Mass, the Pope’s official representative to the Eucharistic Congress, Canadian Cardinal Mark Ouellett acknowledged that the Church in Ireland was “suffering” and “faces many new and serious challenges” of the faith. He prayed that the 50th Eucharistic Congress will "bring a special blessing to Ireland at this turbulent time". “Well aware of these challenges, we turn together to Our Lord, who renews, heals and strengthens the faith of His people,” he said. Ireland, he said was known for its long tradition of fidelity to the Catholic faith. “Her strong history of faithfulness has enriched not only these shores, but has, through her missionary sons and daughters, helped to bring the gospel to many, far-distant shores."
Dublin had previously hosted the 31st International Eucharistic Congress in 1932. The quadrennial event was first held in Lille, France, in 1881. India hosted the 38^th International Eucharistic Congress in 1964 in Bombay (Mumbai) with Pope Paul VI attending it. The last International Eucharistic Congress was hosted in 2008 in Quebec, Canada.