Dates and theme revealed for 2016 Eucharistic Congress
Cebu (Philippines) 27 April 2013: The Archdiocese of Cebu in the Philippines has announced
that the next International Eucharistic Congress will be held in Cebu City on May
23-29, 2016.
Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu publicized the dates on April 26,
according to the Catholics Bishops Conference of the Philippines.
The assembly
is expected to draw thousands of participants – including laity and Church leaders
– from countries around the world.
Held every four years, the International
Eucharistic Congress seeks to witness to the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist
and to promote a better understanding of the liturgy and Eucharist in the life of
the Church.
The last gathering was held in Dublin, Ireland in 2012. The Philippines
has previously hosted the Congress in Manila in 1937.
Archbishop Palma said
theologians in the country have been discussing topics that will be covered at the
Congress.
At a recent meeting with the planning committee in Rome, the archbishop
said that Pope Francis has been invited to attend the 2016 event.
The archdiocese
also announced that the theme for the upcoming Congress will be “Christ in You: Our
Hope of Glory.”