Pope Francis coming again? Cebu starts yearlong preparations for IEC 2016

Spurred by the prospect of Pope Francis coming for the 2016 International Eucharistic Congress, Cebu officials have start mapping out security arrangements one year in advance.

 

Provincial authorities are particularly working out security arrangements since the IEC will coincide with the annual Sinulog festival in January, GMA Cebu's Vic Serna and Nikko Sereno reported Tuesday.

 

The report said police want to beef up their crowd control capabilities, noting this year's Sinulog drew more than 2.5 million visitors.

 

Organizers of the IEC expect many foreign delegates to arrive for the IEC, which is scheduled for the third week of January 2016.

 

The Cebu City Sports Center has been identified as the venue for the IEC's opening Mass.

The Eucharistic Congress is a gathering of clergies and laymen worldwide to celebrate the Catholic faith of the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The Congress was last held in Dublin, Ireland in 2012.

 

"Probably because he (pope) mentioned Cebu, he will be coming next year; will be within the Sinulog week," said Sinulog Foundation executive director Ricky Ballesteros.

Pope Francis on Monday left the Philippines after a five-day visit where he touched the lives of Filipinos in Metro Manila and Leyte.

Moments after the Pope departed for Rome, Manila Archbishop Luis Cardinal Tagle was asked if the Holy Faher would be attending the IEC meet next year.

Confirming that the Pope had been invited to the event, Tagle said: "Siguro gusto muna niya ay umuwi sa Roma at doon pag-isipan." — Joel Locsin/RSJ, GMA News