Pro-Life Youth to Walk Throughout Ireland in May,2008 - 01/05/2008
Pro-Life Youth to Walk Throughout Ireland in May,2008
PRO LIFE YOUTH TO WALK THROUGHOUT IRELAND
For the first time in history, a group of Irish youth, in coordination with an American group, are planning a walk throughout Ireland to promote the dignity of human life. The walk will begin in May 2008, six weeks prior to World Youth Day in Australia.
The sponsoring organisation, called Crossroads, began in America and has sponsored walks across America, Canada, Europe, and to two World Youth Days since 1995.
“We are delighted that Crossroads is coming to Ireland,” said Patrick Buckley of the European Life Network. “We are aware of the wonderful witness of Crossroads to the pro-life cause in the US and will do all we can to assist in the organisation of its new initiative in Ireland. This is very welcome news.”
The walk will cover Ireland in a figure eight fashion, stopping at many pilgrimage sites along the way. The notion was first conceived of when Irish and American pro life youth met at World Youth Day and later at conferences in Ireland.
“After getting to know some of the Irish youth and other pro lifers, we were able to see first hand the crucial battle that the Irish people are facing to keep abortion out of their country,” said Kate Bryan, the Crossroads-Ireland Walk Liaison. “We thought Crossroads would be a great way for the Irish youth to engage their culture.”
A dozen American students began Crossroads shortly after Pope John Paul II’s visit to World Youth Day in Denver in 1993, walking from the Pacific Ocean to Washington, D.C. In thirteen summers, they have spoken to over three million people at churches across the United States and Canada.
“Crossroads has gained a great deal of traction in America, especially in recent years,” said Crossroads President Jim Nolan. “We realize that this will be quite an undertaking, and we’re prepared to share the burden of getting this off the ground.”
Anyone interested in participating in the Ireland walk should contact Kate Bryan of Crossroads.
For more information on participating in Crossroads Ireland, contact Kate Bryan (001) 517 304-7281 or email her at katemarybridget@hotmail.com.
Organiser: Crossroads
Contact Number: Kate Bryan (001) 517 304-7281 /James Nolan (001) 202 285-0466
Email Address: katemarybridget@hotmail.com
Website Address: www.crossroadswalk.com