December 7, 2017

His Excellency Dr. Gilberto Llerena Garcia, Ambassador of Panama, met Most Rev. Giambattista Diquattro, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, Most Rev. Theodore Mascarenhas SFX, Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference (CBCI) and Fr. Deepak Thomas OCD, Secretary of CBCI Council for Youth along with Mr. Ernesto E. Cerrud, Deputy Chief of Mission and Political Counsellor. The very amiable meeting took place at the Apostolic Nunciature in New Delhi.

The meeting was held to discuss the modality and promotion of the forthcoming World Youth Day to be held in Panama in January 2019. Mr. Llerena Garcia explained the elaborate preparations that have begun in Panama and asked the support of the Catholic Church in India to promote the event in India. The Government of Panama is keen on a massive participation of Youth from India and is assuring us of packages and discount fares for the event. He has offered help and support to Church in India for encouraging participation from India. We had a very fruitful dialogue and His Excellency Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas promised the Embassy all the assistance on the part of the Catholic Church.

His Grace Most Rev. Giambattista Diquattro asked the CBCI Youth Council Secretary to start with the spiritual preparation of the youth and to individuate properly from the parish level itself the youth who are willing to take part in this World Youth Day. He also stressed that the event should be spiritual journey and may not just become tourism. The youth, who participate must really gain spiritual benefit from this world event.