100-day countdown to Church congress starts

100 DAYS COUNDOWN TO IEC 2016 Unveilling of the countdown timer. 100 days to go to IEC2016(CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO)

The Archdiocese of Cebu yesterday unveiled a digital clock to start the 100-day countdown to the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC).

The  countdown clock is mounted  outside the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral in downtown Cebu City.

Cebu Auxiliary Bishops Dennis Villarojo and Oscar Florencio led the simple unveiling ceremony.

(Archbishop Jose Palma is in Rome for  the Synod of Bishops on the Family.)

After the countdown, Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Emeritus of Cebu Ricardo Cardinal Vidal at the cathedral, which is undergoing a major facelift in preparation for the IEC.

Villarojo, IEC secretary-general, said about 8,000 delegates  have signed up for the IEC. Some 6,500 have fully paid the registration fees. The Church targets to attract 15,000 delegates from 55 countries.

A registration fee of  P8,000 is for those who want to take part in the week-long congress while a P4,000 registration is good for four days.

Official  delegates can attend the seminars and listen to a pool of international speakers at the Eucharistic Pavilion.

The archdiocese is working on a  budget of P250 million for the IEC.

“So far, by God’s grace, we still have available resources to finance the budget. We still could pay for what we need to acquire,” said Villarojo in a press conference that preceded the 100-day countdown.

One  source of funds, he said, is the Piso Para sa Misa ng Mundo campaign that has raised P15 million so far.

100 DAYS COUNDOWN TO IEC 2016 Ricardo Vidal – Archbishop-Emeritus of Cebu, officiated a mass to the 100 day countdown to IEC2016. (CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO)

Msgr. Ruben Labajo, chairman  of the IEC committee on accommodations, said  hotel owners in Cebu were already requested not to jack up their rates and  to offer special rates.

“We do not want to discourage delegates from coming to Cebu. We know how expensive it is to come here. We do not want hotels to give delegates an additional burden, ” Labajo said.

He said 1,000 families are also expected to respond to their call to provide free lodging to some delegates. Thus far, about 60 percent have pledged to host some delegates.

Fr. Brian Brigoli, chairperson of the committee on venues, said they are preparing the venues that will be used during the IEC.

These include the Eucharistic Pavilion inside the seminary compound in Mabolo, Cebu City; Plaza Independencia, the Capitol grounds, the Cebu City Sports Center, and a part of the South Road Properties.

The Pavilion, where most of the events will be held, is nearing completion.