Cardinal Ouellet to launch immigrant aid program during Eucharistic Congress

Jan 24, 2008 / 16:43 pm

Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Quebec announced this week an immigrant assistance program will be launched during the upcoming 49th International Eucharistic Congress which will be held in the Canadian city June 15-22.

During the months leading up to the Congress, special collections will be taken up to provide assistance to immigrants and refugees, the cardinal explained in an interview with L’Osservatore Romano.  At the conclusion of the Congress, the funds will be given to a foundation dedicated to helping immigrants

He called the initiative “a testimony to the liberating force” that comes from the Eucharist and allows Christians “to live in the world with eyes enlightened by hope and compassion.”

Asked about other initiatives that will be part of the Eucharistic Congress, the Archbishop of Quebec pointed to other programs aimed at reaching out to immigrants, with special emphasis in themes related to the family.  “We foresee that during the final days of the Congress we will have a program dedicated to the family, its problems and its potentialities for the mission of the Church in the world,” he said.

“In addition, following the example of the World Youth Day Cross, a symbol called the Ark of the New Covenant is currently touring the country in order to encourage people to pray and study about the Eucharist in their Christian communities.  Its pilgrimage will end in the city of Quebec on the Feast of Corpus Christi,” the cardinal said.

He also revealed that the archdiocese is planning for extensive media coverage of the Congress and has invited other Christian confessions to send “delegations to the congress in order to highlight its ecumenical dimension.”  “This will be particularly evident at the religious symposium that will precede the congress June 11-13, thanks to the presence of Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and other Protestant theologians.”