World Youth Day to Have an Ecumenical Side
COLOGNE, Germany, JUNE 15, 2005
On Aug. 17, for example, an interconfessional "Way of the Cross" is planned in Cologne, Bonn and Dusseldorf.
Aug. 16-19, the World Youth Day Spiritual Center will hold ecumenical meetings with the participation of the Taize, Chemin Neuf (New Way) and Sant'Egidio communities.
Numerous Lutheran and Orthodox will participate in the Youth Festival planned for the occasion, reported the Holy See's missionary agency Fides.
In addition, the Christian Churches Working Group will invite participants to attend round-table discussions and meetings to reflect on Christian identity and the ecumenical future. Theology students of various confessions will give presentations on their faith and traditions.
Many of the World Youth Day participants will lodge with Lutheran and Orthodox families. The catecheses and several events of the Youth Festival will take place in Lutheran churches, and many Lutheran communities will offering pilgrims overnight facilities.