Cardinal Ambrozic: «We Await You in Toronto»

Statements by Next Host of World Youth Day

ROME, AUGUST 22 (ZENIT.org-Avvenire).- At the end of World Youth Day, John Paul II confirmed that the next international World Youth Day will be held in Toronto, July 22-26, 2002. The Archbishop of Toronto, Aloysius Matthew Ambrozic spoke with «Avvenire» about the upcoming event.

Archbishop Ambrozic arrived in Toronto from Slovenia in 1948. He was born in 1930 in Gabrje, near Lubiana. Ordained a priest in 1955, he was named Archbishop of Toronto in 1990 and created Cardinal in 1998.

--Cardinal Ambrozic, how did Toronto become a candidate for the next World Youth Day?

--Cardinal Ambrozic: I went to the Denver and Manila Days. I thought it would be lovely to be able to hold World Youth Day here in Toronto. However, it was only an idea. Then, some of my priests returned from Paris with enthusiasm, and said to me, 'We've got to have a World Youth Day.' So I was encouraged to propose what was just a simple idea. Toronto 2002. This is a beautiful city in every sense, rich in humanity, if you ignore the plague of abortion. It has a strong Protestant character.

-- What, exactly, is this character?

-- Cardinal Ambrozic: Protestants in Toronto are of English, Scotch, and Irish extraction. They are very serious and disciplined. Their virtue is «fairness,» understood as honesty, justice, impartiality, and loyalty. I have no trouble admitting I very much appreciate this tradition.

-- And the Catholics?

-- Cardinal Ambrozic: In the past, they experienced difficulties. However, the Protestants never reneged on their decision to be just and democratic. When I arrived here with my family in 1948, we Catholics were barely 10%. Then came the time of the immigration of Italians, Portuguese, Latin Americans, and Filipinos. Today, in the latest wave of immigrants - Chinese, Koreans, and Vietnamese - there have been many conversions.

-- Many conversions?

-- Cardinal Ambrozic: Yes, many, and not even we can explain the reason very well. A malicious reader might think that this is the result of the Catholic Church's charitable activities. However, it is not so because in this sector Anglicans are more active than we are. The fact remains that in one of my parishes inhabited primarily by Chinese, there were 250 adult baptisms in one year.

--After World War II, Catholics were a very small minority. What are they today?

-- Cardinal Ambrozic: Today we are close to 1.5 million, 35% of the population. According to surveys, people described by sociologists as «practicing,» that is, those who go to Mass at least twice a month, are between 12-13% of the baptized. This fraction might seem small, but for the past few years this percentage has been growing. In this case also, none of the explanations we give ourselves ends up convincing us.

-- Let's talk about the next World Youth Day. What do you think of this generation of youths?

-- Cardinal Ambrozic: Before beginning my catechises in Denver in 1993, I asked myself: «How can I cover the fatal distance that exists between them and me?» However, I did not have to make any special effort. They themselves closed the gap between us, thus demonstrating the enormous capacity of a common faith in Jesus Christ to unite persons. The Toronto priests who are responsible for youths say it is a mistake to consider them as a kind of separate class. Of course they have their own tastes, problems, and sensitivities. However, they are part of the parish community where there are so many adults. When they are all together in the community, they are called to collaborate. This is also my opinion.

-- Undoubtedly the next World Youth Day will have a strong ecumenical accent.

-- Cardinal Ambrozic: Today there are no problems with the Anglicans. Bishop Finley and I are very good friends, I often dine together with him and his wife, and we invite one another to preach in our respective Cathedrals. World Youth Day is clearly a Catholic event, which will be characterized by the Pope's presence. Toronto Anglicans consider him a great spiritual guide, who announces Christian truth. Therefore, don't be surprised if Anglican youths are present.

-- What will be the significance of World Youth Day for Toronto?

-- Cardinal Ambrozic: The city is beautiful and modern. It works well. There is work for everyone. However, something is missing... World Youth Day will be a challenge, especially for us Catholics. We must behave with greater courage, we still do not perceive a sufficient sense of responsibility, and we do not give the contribution we should to the human and civil growth of the city.

Zenit - The World Seen From Rome