Politicians no participation in Cebu International Eucharistic Congress - archbishop

MANILA (PNA) -- The organizers of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) said that politicians will have no participation in the Church-sponsored event to be held in Cebu City on January 24-31, 2016.According to Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, the event’s committee assured that government officials will be allowed to attend the proceedings but they will be there as spectators. The committee is saying the politicians have no active role in the congress like they would not be allowed to speak, if they attend like any private person,” he said at the sidelines of the 2nd National Press Conference of the IEC held in Intramuros, Manila on Wednesday.The president of the local committee of the IEC added, In the steering committee we are very clear that this is a historic Congress and much of it is basically a celebration...a Eucharistic celebration. Basically a Church celebration so there is never in the listing of candidates and politicians...basically we rule out the participation of politicians.”Since the event will be held during the election season, the Catholic prelate was asked if the politicians will attend as regular participants will be allowed to campaign and if they attempt to give flyers, he said, They will do nothing…Well of course we have a way of telling them this is not the opportunity to campaign but to adore the Lord.”On the other hand, the Cebu prelate noted that they have close coordination with the local government in connection with the preparations particularly in security and traffic. In the preparation of traffic, police assistance and even the beautification of the road where the delegates will pass, and certainly their assurance that the delegates would be given assistance in terms of immigration facility, like traffic. Many times they would provide police escorts in times of the traffic, those things that are in their power,” he added.Organizers are expecting some 15,000 participants from different countries to attend the one-week event to be held early next year.This is the second time the country will be hosting the IEC, the international gathering was first hosted in Manila in 1937.Held every four years, the 51st IEC is expected to draw thousands of participants – including laity and Church leaders – from countries around the world. (PNA)