JUBILEE YEAR 2000: VOLUNTEERISM AND THE PILGRIM'S CARD

VATICAN CITY, JUN 24, 1999 (VIS) - Today in the Holy See Press Office, Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, president of the Central Committee of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, opened a press conference to give an update on the committee's work by stating that the conference would focus on two particular aspects of the Jubilee: volunteerism and the Pilgrim's Card.

"We have brought the most genuine and warm commitment to taking care of ... the details of welcoming the millions of pilgrims who will come to Rome on the invitation of John Paul II to implore the grace of the Jubilee," said the cardinal. He underscored the "exciting duty" of the Church in Rome "to preside in charity" during a year in which "the eyes of mankind will be looking at her."

Archbishop Crescenzio Sepe, secretary general of the Jubilee committee, also emphasized the Church's commitment to charity, saying that "certainly, one of the best ways to live this great event is to become a volunteer in the service of welcoming pilgrims, above all, those who are the neediest." He and Cardinal Etchegaray both stressed the spiritual and Christian values of volunteerism during the Jubilee.

He then explained that Italy and the Holy See have signed agreements in which they commit themselves to a unified action in the fields of volunteerism, information, pilgrim services, security, health plans, etc. Coordinated efforts are needed, the archbishop said, "to avoid duplicating work as well as spreading it out too thinly." He added that "to this end, national and international associations, lay and Catholic, have been asked to become involved. The response has been enthusiastic."

Luigi Zanda, head of the Roman Agency for the Jubilee, said he wished "to underline how the commitment to perform volunteer work, for many young people, and some who are not so young, is slowly taking the place which, up to a few years ago, was occupied exclusively by politics" in Italy.

He spoke of the financial costs for the region of Lazio and the city of Rome in the training of volunteers, but also stressed the vital support role of private sponsors, citing the work being done by such corporations as the Bank of Rome, Microsoft, TIM and Telecom (Italian telecommunications companies), Benelli (motorcycles) and BMW.

Donato Mosella, director of the Volunteer Welcome Center for the Jubilee, said it already has 27,520 supporters, a figure that represents more than a third of those required. Many of the volunteers come from associations, movements and groups of lay people and clergy. At the present time, 60 countries have confirmed their support for the Jubilee Volunteer Project.

A training program began on May 28, whose first participants, Mosella said, are "the trainers of volunteers," nearly 300 experts from parish associations, movements and groups who "have the task of preparing the 'leaders of volunteer teams' throughout Italy."

Francesco Silvano, delegate for telecommunications, turning to the subject of the Pilgrim's Card, said "it guarantees the pilgrim the certainty of being able to participate in events, papal audiences, and liturgical celebrations, and also ensures that the religious and civil authorities will have information well in advance, so as to take the appropriate measures, from the welcoming organization to security services, from the transport system to the supply of refreshments." Furthermore, these prepaid Cards allow use of urban transportation, not only in Rome but in other Italian cities.

As regards issue of the Cards, Silvano explained, "Italian pilgrims who reserve the Card by telephone will, by means of an agreement with the Italian Post Office, receive the card at their homes. Moreover, for pilgrims who decide just a few days before an event to travel to Rome, there is a special 'Last Minute' Card which will be issued by SAC (Central Welcoming System) and by the Welcome and Information Centers. It is also possible to book for an event on the day it takes place by requesting, in person, the 'Just in Time' Card from the above-mentioned centers. This guarantees only participation in that event and the insurance premium."

Silvano concluded by saying that there are different prices for the Card, ranging from a minimum of 13,000 Italian lire (about 7 dollars) to a maximum of 65,000 Italian lire (35 dollars), based on the services it furnishes.

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