Péter Erdő: The Church and its people have learnt a great deal at the quarantine period

It was just a few weeks ago, when Archbishop Piero Marini, President of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses spoke with great appreciation about the Budapest Congress preparation, voicing that he had never ever experienced such a widespread interest for a Catholic
world event as in case of the Budapest event. According to Péter Erdő, the key point might be that: “We have put Jesus Christ in the spotlight”.

The main focus of the Congress is the Eucharist itself. Faithful, both around the country and the globe as well, might be prepared with religious-, spiritual-, and cultural programs for the meeting. Though several events had been dropped due to the pandemic crisis, Péter Erdő talked about the Mission Cross, which was also quarantined for a while, but prior to this it had been touring around the whole Carpathian-Basin, with the aim to invite people to the Congress. This symbol of the Congress is going to move on shortly again, so to continue its way that has been interrupted by necessity.
Before the world pandemic outbreak, lecturers and pilgrims were expected from more than eighty countries. According to the Cardinal, many participants, most likely from faraway countries, could not have come either as scheduled, due to mobility difficulties in travelling. He also considered the psychological impact of this disease to be significant:

“Many have become more careful, many beckon of not restarting
so soon such a huge mass event. Thus next year date is likely a far
safer timing.”

Péter Erdő said a few words on some details as well. Now, knowing the new date, the same speakers have been invited again, and if someone would be unable to accept it, then others should be invited instead.
The Chief Pastor also outlined that the Church and its people have learnt a lot during the quarantine time. Certain parish churches have established an intensive virtual life on the internet, on the social media. As he worded it: “The IEC Secretariat had already been actively present on Facebook-, on YouTube- and on other online media, but now the time has arrived to escalate it onto a higher level, and to strengthen this online presence in favour of the world congress.” Péter Erdő believes, that should the faithful be able to attend again the Holy Mass personally, then further issues, like Bible classes, catechesis and other activities might be also placed onto these online media sites, thereby fostering the local communities as well.
On the invitation of Pope Frances, the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity called for a prayer day on the 14 th May, to unite spiritually in a prayer for the end of the coronavirus pandemic and to help humanity. In this regard Péter Erdő also worded: “We beg for the end of the pandemic, we pray for all those fighting against
the pandemic: for the doctors, the nurses, the researchers and for all those members of the society working for to defeat the pandemic. Furthermore we pray for the sick, for the deaths and particularly for the humanity to overcome in health and in enriched spirit this difficult period.

Photo: Szabolcs Vörös
Source: IEC Secretariat