4 July 2008
Religious and community leaders say “God Speed” to 4000 young Kiwi Catholic WYD pilgrims
Church leaders and mayors have joined politicians in wishing young Kiwi Catholic pilgrims “God Speed” as they prepare to
leave the country for World Youth Day in Sydney, forming the largest single group ever to leave New Zealand for a
non-sporting event. The messages, which can be viewed on YouTube, included words from The Very Rev Ross Bay, Dean of
Holy Trinity Cathedral, Auckland, who said: “From Anglicans around the country, we wish you well on this great
pilgrimage … There will be lots of serious things to do; let’s hope you’ll also be building great friendships and having
great fun!”
Javed Khan, president of the Federation of Islamic Associations, addressed touching words to Pope Benedict XVI and
Cardinal Pell of Sydney, as well as to the pilgrims. After quoting from the Qur’an, he added, “You have an important
mission as young believers! You are at a time in your lives when you are discovering the great gifts that God has
blessed you with. I encourage you to seek and discover God and use the gifts he has bestowed on you, like your energy,
like your passion, to light up the world and glorify God! … Wassalam and God Bless!”
John Banks, Mayor of Auckland wished pilgrims, “… a great time! Learn something! Show some real strong moral leadership
and you will have achieved something very positive!”
Wendy Ross, representing the Jewish Community of New Zealand told the pilgrims, “We wish you great fun, great
fellowship, and above all, great inspiration … in reaching out to other faiths, building bridges between your faith, and
mine, and others.”
Andrew Williams, Mayor of North Shore City also addressed the pilgrims, saying, “I hope you have the opportunity to talk
about all sorts of issues that confront our world: environmental sustainability, peace, and helping our countries in
just getting on with one another. I hope you reinforce your faith, and please talk with your fellow young people about
how to make this world a better place!”
Bob Harvey, Mayor of Waitakere City, told pilgrims, “It’s one of God’s great grants in your life … that you are called
to serve, and you do that with a good heart and soul. I wish you well.”
Rodney McCann, National Leader of the Baptist Church in New Zealand said, “As Baptists we have a vast number of young
people and they’re a wonderful part of our movement, so I’m just delighted to bring greetings on behalf of them and our
whole movement to you.”
These and other messages can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/user/YoungNZCatholics
ENDS