Church in Nigeria screens youth for Krakow World Youth Day

The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), has extended by two weeks, the screening exercise of youths who wish to participate in this year’s World Youth Day to be held in Krakow, Poland from 25 to 31 July 2016. This was disclosed recently by Fr. Zacharia Sanjumi, the deputy Secretary and Director of pastoral agents at the CSN.

Speaking to the Catholic News Service of Nigeria, Fr. Sanjumi said the extension became necessary as a result of the desire to give opportunity for more youths to celebrate the event with the Holy Father, Pope Francis, in Poland. Fr. Sanjumi further disclosed that various Nigerian dioceses are now more involved than ever before in the screening process. He Sanjumi added that all the youth who will travel to Poland will be looked after properly while in Poland. He expressed optimism that the youth participants who travel to Poland will return to the country at the end of the celebrations.

According to the official website, the World Youth Day (WYD) is a worldwide youth encounter with the Pope which is celebrated every three years in a different country. The last WYD was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2013. 

WYD is open to all young people who want to take part in a festive encounter with their contemporaries. The organisers emphasise the religious aspects of the week-long event that draws the youth closer to Christ, by means of prayer and the sacraments in a festive atmosphere together with thousands of other young people who share similar  interests and ambitions.

(CNSNg.org in Abuja, Nigeria)

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