59 Bishops from 49 Countries to Hold ‘Mini-Congress’ in Cebu for 51st IEC in 2016

At least 59 bishops from 49 countries will be in Cebu on April 25 to 27 to conduct a “mini-congress” in preparation for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) next year.

Aside from the mini-congress, members of the Pontifical Committee for the International Eucharistic Congresses (PCIEC), led by Archbishop Piero Marini, will also check on the local organizers on what they have done so far for next year’s IEC.

Msgr. Joseph Tan, Cebu Archdiocesan spokesperson and 51st IEC media liaison officer, said 14 of the 59 bishops who will be coming to Cebu will be represented by the Philippines, led by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle.

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), will also be present.

Tan said that from April 25 to 27, the bishops led by Marini will hold a plenary, which will serve as a glimpse of the actual congress, at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.

Aside from the plenary, the bishops will have a tour in some parts of Cebu, particularly the sites for IEC-related activities.

Marini will check on the progress of the Eucharistic Pavilion, which is being constructed at the Seminario Mayor de San Carlos in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.

The bishops will also visit the Plaza Independencia in downtown Cebu City, where the opening mass will be held; the Cebu Provincial Capitol grounds where a mass and Eucharistic Process will be held; the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) where the first communion mass will be done; and the Cebu Doctors’ University (CDU) where the Theological Symposiums will take place.

The bishops will also be toured in different churches in Cebu, especially those with significant historical value, Tan said.

The bishops will also participate in some of the activities of the 450th Kaplag celebration organized by the Augustinian Friars.

Marini and Tagle will celebrate separate masses at the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino de Cebu. (PNA) FPV/EB/EDS