At every WYD, one of the things that pilgrims always find so remarkable is the opportunity to see the universal Church gathered together - the knees of every nation bowed down. One of the great things about WYD 08 being held in Sydney is that it will have much more of a Pacific "face". Its location means that folks from places like India, the Philippines, Japan, and other Pacific island nations will have a much easier time attending than they would if it were held elsewhere.
As evidence of the interest by those from some of these countries, I present the following stories. The Indian Catholic has this story which suggests that the Catholic Church in India will be sending its largest delegation of bishops, priests, and religious to WYD ever. A total of 14 bishops, 80 priests and religious are planning to attend.
The Union of Catholic Asian News has this story on the some 2,000 pilgrims who will be attending WYD from the Philippines. They represent 25 of the country's 87 Church jurisdictions. At least five of the Philippine pilgrims are Chinese students studying in the Philippines. Here's a separate story on the Filipino pilgrims.
The country of Tonga is sending 712 pilgrims, as told in this story from Matangi Tonga Online.
According to the article, it's the first time pilgrims from the Diocese of Tonga have attended WYD. From the article:
Prior to the main events, a Tonga National Day will be held on July 5-6 and will bring together Tongan pilgrims from different countries such as Australia, New Zealand, United States and Tonga.
On July 10-14, the Tongan pilgrims have been invited by the Catholic Diocese of Lismore to stay with families throughout their 16 parishes. An Oceania Day will also be held on July 15 to showcase the Pacific cultures of Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia.
Four bishops, thirty priests, and pilgrims from 19 of Indonesia's 37 dioceses will also be attending WYD according to this Indian Catholic story.
Samoan New Zealander, Josie Leota, has been chosen to be one of the MCs for the Saturday evening vigil. You can read more about her, and see her photo in this article.
About 369 pilgrims from the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore are planning to attend the event. Here's a story on the Singapore pilgrims.
Here's a story on a group of 50 pilgrims traveling from Malaysia.
A record number of Vietnamese plan to attend WYD. According to this article, 364 delegates will attend, including 70 bishops and priests, 50 religious, and 244 laypeople from the country's 26 dioceses.
Here's another article looking at Asian Catholics at WYD, including those from Thailand and Bangladesh.
-- Tim Drake
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