Catholic-Anglican community hopes to draw youth back to religion

New NYC Catholic-Anglican community hopes to draw youth back to religion

Pope Francis and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the head of the Anglican Communion, delivered speeches via video message at a launch event and service for a new ecumenical residential program for young adults in New York City on Sept. 8.

"Dear young people who will spend a year here of community life, Christian formation and discernment, prayer, service to the youth and the poor: you will be a witness to God's love and tenderness," the pope said.

The service also included a video message from Michael Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, and a message from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, considered the spiritual leader of Eastern Orthodox Christians worldwide.

Community at the Crossing, a yearlong program for 20- to 30-year-old U.S. Christians focused on ecumenical community, prayer and service, will find a home at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York's Morningside Heights neighborhood.

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