Jan 16, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Bishop Carlos Baladrón of Guantanamo-Barcoa, Cuba, announced last week that 34 young people from Cuba representing all of the dioceses of the country are preparing to travel to Cologne in August to participate in World Youth Day.
Visiting the international headquarters of Aid to the Church in Need, Bishop Baladrón stated that “there has always been real participation on the part of Cuba” in events like World Youth Day.
This year, 34 Cubans, at least 2 young people from each of the country’s 11 dioceses, and 4 bishops, will attend the event. “Our young people desire to open themselves to Christ,” the bishop maintained.
According to the bishop, the formation of young lay leaders is a priority for the Church and he pointed out that “today, many people are rediscovering their Catholic roots” and that there is a “high level of participation by the youth in the life of the Church.”