11 September 2006: World Youth Day 2008 today announced the first of its National Tours, with World Youth Day speaker Bishop James Wingle coming to Australia next month.

A program of National Tours is scheduled up to July 2008 as part of Activ8, WYD08's program of pastoral preparation for the largest Catholic youth event ever organised in Australia.

"The National Tours are about sharing the World Youth Day experience with as many Australians as possible and getting them ready for July 2008," World Youth Day 2008 Coordinator Bishop Anthony Fisher OP, said.

"We are delighted to have Bishop Wingle launch our Activ8 National Tours. He is an outstanding and engaging speaker with great knowledge to share with our young people.

"Around 7,000 young Australians have attended international World Youth Day events - but 100,000 or more are projected to come to Sydney in July 2008.

"The National Tours will provide a good introduction to the WYD experience and assist our young people in their spiritual preparation for Sydney in 2008."

Bishop Wingle will speak in Sydney on October 24, then visit Brisbane (27 October), Townsville (28 October), Melbourne (30 October), Hobart (31 October), Wagga Wagga (1 November), Bathurst (2 November) and Parramatta (4 November).

The focus of the first tour will be on World Youth Day catechesis - the teaching of the Catholic Church's faith.

Bishop Wingle was actively involved in ministry to youth and vocations as a member of the Canadian Episcopal Committee for World Youth Day 2002 and provided catechesis sessions at past World Youth Day gatherings.

He is Bishop of the Diocese of St Catherine's in Ontario, Canada and is on the Executive Committee of the Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops. He also holds a position on the Pontifical Council for Health and Pastoral Care.

Details of Bishop Wingle's tour schedule are available on the events page at www.wyd2008.org .

Sydney will host the 23rd World Youth Day from 15-20 July 2008. The event will mark the first visit to Australia of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

Media contact: Carolyn Grant @ Avviso PR for World Youth Day Sydney 2008
Ph: (02) 9368 7277
Mob: 0407 898 727
E: media@wyd2008.org or carolyng@avviso.com.au