Westminster Record
April 2017 | 20p
#WeStandTogether
Ready for Mission
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10,000 Reasons
Flame 2017 saw almost 10,000 young people coming together to interact and celebrate their faith. Flame Congress is a joint production between the Catholic Youth Ministry Federation, and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Fr Dermott Donnelly, chair of CYMFed and the director of youth services in
the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle encouraged all present to enter ‘the vibrancy and hope that … a new experience of Jesus brings’. Cardinal Vincent delivered a message from Pope Francis, who hoped that Flame 2017 would ‘foster a greater zeal’ to ‘blaze trails that open up new horizons capable of spreading joy’.
Cardinal Charles Bo of Myanmar explained the political and religious situation in his country, as well as inspiring the young people present to be courageous in making a difference in their own societies and beyond. The highlight of Cardinal Bo’s speech was the interactive use of the poem: ‘It depends on whose hands it’s in’.
Solidarity with and welcoming refugees was a key theme in many elements of the event. This was emphasised by the presence of a 30ft boat that carried 37 people, from North Africa to Lampedusa, fleeing violence and war. During the afternoon Liturgy, Cardinal Vincent offered prayers for the estimated
10,000 refugees that have drowned whilst attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea. He then blessed Boat TO6411 as ‘a symbol of hope for people in despair … a symbol of new beginnings … a symbol of safety and a symbol of all our journeys, as one family, united in God’s love.’