IRELAND
World Meeting of Families 2018 inaugurated
The Opening Ceremony for World Meeting of Families 2018 took place simultaneously across all 26 Dioceses of Ireland on the evening of Tuesday 21 August, with the lead ceremony taking place in Dublin.
The Opening Liturgy was celebration of Evening Prayer entitled “Together with Christ.
” His Eminence Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna officiated at the inaugural Mass of WMOF 2018 which was held at the Woodlands. Pope Francis is expected to participate in WMOF 2018 during his forthcoming visit to Ireland. The World Meeting of Families will culminate with the closing Papal Mass on Sunday 26th August.
Mr Stephen Axisa, National Director of Aid to the Church in Need (Malta) and Dr Guido Pace Spadaro, Chairman of the Board, were invited to attend this event by Dr Michael Kinsella, the National Director of Aid to the Church in Need (Ireland). Dr Thomas Heine-Geldern, President of Aid to the Church in Need (International) and the National Directors of the Philippines and Brazil are among those attending. Aid to the Church in Need (Ireland) is also sponsoring delegations from Africa and Russia. The Catholic Radio Network Television (CRTN) of Aid to Church in Need (International) will be covering the event.
Fr. Werenfried van Straaten (1913 – 2003), the founder of Aid to the Church in Need, became well aware of the difficulties facing families at the meetings and congresses he attended on marriage and family life.
The pastoral, humanitarian and social aid to families carried out by Fr. Werenfried is still being done by Aid to the Church in Need with the same dedication and enthusiasm. Hence, Aid to the Church in Need is pleased to be one of the sponsors of this year’s World Meeting of Families (WMOF 2018).
