SIX OF the 111 members of the Algarve diocese, intending to participate in the 10th World Youth Congress in Cologne, taking place from August 15 and 21, with the presence of Pope Benedict XVI, will be making their journey to Germany by bike. It will be a journey of 2,376km and is an initiative intended to align religion with sport.
The six cycling pilgrims, who intend to arrive in Cologne within 22 days, hope to cover a daily average of around 108km and will be setting off from Faro on July 18, with the intention of arriving in Cologne on August 11.
Priest Dinis Faísca of the Algarve diocese will be accompanied by Alexandre Simões, Cristiano Simões, João Silva, Nuno Cavaco and Nuno Simões, who come from church parishes in Alcantarilha, Albufeira and Loulé.
During their journey, the group will not have the back up of any support car, but will be staying in buildings owned by various parishes in Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium and Germany. The group is also receiving the support of several câmaras and companies here in Portugal.
In addition, the initiative is counting on its partnership with Portuguese national radio station, Rádio Renascença, which will be transmitting daily reports from each stage of the group’s journey on several of its live shows.
