By Matters India Reporter
New Delhi, Jan 6, 2020: India would not host the eight Asian Youth Day (AYD).
Father Chetan Machado, secretary of the Youth Council of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, says the final decision would be taken at the Indian bishops’ plenary meet in February.
India was scheduled to host the event in October 2021.
“I feel that it is not possible to organize the event in 2021,” Father Machado told Matters India January 6. He cited the current political scenario in India and visa concerns as the main reason for India to withdraw from hosting the international event.
The last meet was held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, where the Indian delegation led by Bishop Henry D’Souza of Bellary and Father Deepak K. J. Thomas, then CBCI secretary for Youth Council, had received the flag and the AYD Cross.
The Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences – Office of Laity and Family, Youth Desk and the host country organize the international event.
Held for the first time in Hua Hin, Thailand, in 1999, AYDs have been held in intervals of two, three and five years. It brings together Catholic youths from all over Asia.
Taipei, Taiwan hosted it in 2001, followed by Bangalore, India in 2003, Hong Kong in 2006, Imus, the Philippines, in 2009, Daejeon, South Korea, in 2014, which Pope Francis attended and Jogjakarta, Indonesia in 2017.
The continental-level Catholic Church event is similar to World Youth Day.
The week-long gathering enables Asian youth to experience the Gospel with others of different cultures and how the modern world celebrates the Gospel, and how it applies to current issues like social justice and leadership among its youth.
The festivities include prayer, forums, and workshops. The event is used to enrich, inspire, and renew the spiritual lives of participants.