Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 26/01) - The Northwest Territories will play host to the Catholic Church's 15-year drive to legitimize its role in an increasingly secular world.

On Oct. 30, a four-metre high, 13- kilogram cross will land in Yellowknife and begin a trip of the territory as part of its cross-Canada tour, which began in Ottawa earlier this year.

The cross originated in 1984 during World Youth Day celebrations in Rome, born from a papal ideal.

Yellowknife resident Clayton Morrell is organizing the cross's tour here. He characterizes the cross's current journey as resembling "a spiritual Olympic torch."

Morrell said the major motive behind the cross stems from a need to have Catholic youth realize they are part of something bigger than their community's diocese.

Morrell said the target demographic is of people between 16 to 34.

From Rome to Beunos Aires to Manila to Denver to Yellowknife, the cross will be taken on a full day tour of the city.

From here it will travel to Dettah, Rae-Edzo, Inuvik and Fort Simpson.

Morrell said it's becoming increasingly tough for Catholic youth to stay strong in their faith.

From the pressure to have sex before marriage to using contraception and supporting abortion, Morrell said youth need to turn to theology and the Bible.

"People may not be willing to admit this but gluttony is drunkenness and being high and so it is a sin," said Morrell.

Morrell said everyone is welcome to join in the festivities.