POPE VISIT VOLUNTEERS TO BE VETTED BY GARDA
Church to recruit 3,000 helpers for Ireland trip
THOUSANDS of volunteers needed for the Pope’s visit to Ireland next year will be Gardavetted amid security concerns.
The Catholic Church has just launched a recruitment drive for 3,000 helpers to organise and run the World Meeting of Families which will be held in Dublin in 2018.
For safety reasons, volunteers will submit an online application before undergoing a training programme, the Garda vetting process and screening in line with Vatican safeguarding policies.
Pope Francis will attend the six-day festival making him the first pontiff to visit since St John Paul II in 1979.
WMOF’S secretary general Fr Timothy Bartlett said: “This is a unique opportunity to contribute to one of the biggest events to take place in Ireland. “We are inviting women and men with a variety of gifts, skills and talents to help us in a variety of roles such as event ambassadors, stewards, ushers, meeting and greeting guests, offering hospitality, supporting media communications and providing information, music, liturgy, medical services, pastoral support, language translation, administration, transport, photographic services, and logistics.”
Following the initial recruitment drive, more volunteers will be needed when Pope Francis officially confirms his attendance. More than 20,000 helped out during the 1979 visit.
Volunteers have to be resident in Ireland, 18 and over, and respectful of the Catholic ethos.
They will also assist at related preparatory events which will take place around the country.
In addition, families are being sought for a Host A Pilgrim programme, which will provide accommodation for travellers from Bangladesh, Ecuador and Peru in and around Dublin.
Fr Barlett added: “We are looking for people with a welcoming, positive and flexible attitude who can work as part of a team in assisting the thousands of pilgrims who will come from around Ireland and abroad.”
The event will include a three-day congress on The Gospel of The Family: Joy For The World, a festival of families and a Mass at either the RDS, Croke Park or Phoenix Park.