Philippine delegation at WYD in Lisbon led by two Bishops

By Andrea Rego

Two Bishops from the Philippines – Archbishop Jose Serofia Palma of Cebu and Bishop Rex Andrew Clement Alarcon of Daet – are attending World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal from 1 to 6 August.

The Archdiocese of Cebu had announced that Archbishop Jose Palma had met with several participants from his archdiocese before they arrived in Lisbon.

In a social media post, the CBCP-ECY said that its chairman, Bishop Alarcon, arrived in Lisbon on Sunday to join the 1,500 Filipino pilgrims at the international youth event.

Bishop Alacron, who is the head of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines - Episcopal Commission on Youth (CBCP - ECY) is set participate in one of the lined-up activities in the six-day gathering.

Rise Up Encounters

Fr. Jade Licuanan, the executive secretary of the CBCP-ECY said, “Bishop Rex will also conduct one of the Rise Up Encounters for the delegates of the WYD.”

Rise Up Encounters is a new catechesis model of World Youth Day, which challenges the youth to reflect on the teachings of Pope Francis.

Pope Francis’ pontificate has presented various topics that are close to the hearts of young people.

The three topics for Rise Up Encounters are: integral ecology (Laudato si'), social friendship and universal fellowship (Fratelli tutti), and mercy (Misericordia et misera).

The Rise Up Encounters are planned to provide young people with an experience aligned with the ongoing synodal journey to build a missionary and outgoing Church.

They will be organized in close collaboration with the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, on the mornings of 2-4 August during the week of WYD 2023.

The events take place in churches and venues in Lisbon close to areas where pilgrims will be welcomed, across 270 locations, in more than 30 languages and provide time for reflection, listening, and sharing.