A spectacular show
How do you measure the success of an event like Catholic World Youth Day?
If it is in the enthusiasm and devotion of its participants, then the Vatican will have deemed this an enormous triumph. Waving their national flags, strumming their guitars and performing their dances, the 225,000 pilgrims have stamped their personalities and spirituality on this city. Their flame-coloured rucksacks have added a splash of colour.
One of the main aims of this event is to strengthen pilgrims' faith in a manner which safeguards the future of the Roman Catholic church. At the climactic papal mass, which was celebrated at Randwick racecourse in Sydney, Cardinal George Pell, Australia's most senior Catholic, spoke of how the pilgrims were "alive with evangelical energy", and how young priests were "eager to preach an ancient faith".
But the Vatican will have to wait to see if the fervour that we've seen in Sydney translates into young men applying for the priesthood or young women showing a desire to become nuns. It needs them. Here in Australia, the shortage of priests has led to the twinning of parishes.
Catholicism remains Australia's biggest religion or denomination, with almost 28% of the population describing themselves as Catholic.
If WYD is judged by its staging and spectacle, the organisers will no doubt be delighted. With Sydney providing a uniquely telegenic backdrop, pictures of staggering beauty have beamed around the world.
Certainly, the event has been intricately and extravagantly choreographed, from the arrival of the Pope on board his papal boat-cade, with his robes billowing like a spinnaker in the wind, to the Stations of the Cross, the dramatic depiction of Christ's last hours on earth, which was performed in outdoor sites around the city. Sydney and the Roman Catholic Church - both know how to put on a spectacular show.
The Pope called it "an unforgettable experience". Throughout the week, his image was beamed on to one of the stone pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
So, impressive public pageantry - but what of the public atonement? Departing from the homily given to reporters ahead of time, Pope Benedict said he was "deeply sorry" for the "evil" of the sexual abuse scandal involving members of the Australian Catholic priesthood.
His comments were stronger than those delivered in America in April, but he did not meet the victims of abuse, as he did in the US.
That has angered victims, who wanted to hear directly from the Pope. Broken Rites, the main victims group here, also wanted the Pope to criticise Australian bishops for what they claim has been their mishandling of the scandal.
Victims were incensed by the comments of Bishop Anthony Fisher, the World Youth Day co-ordinator, who said they should not "dwell crankily" on old wounds.
What of the demonstrations from the NoToPope coalition, protesting the Vatican's stance on birth control, homosexuality and abortion? Much of the heat was taken out of the protests when the federal court quashed special regulations brought in by the New South Wales government which threatened heavy penalties for offending the pilgrims.
Protesters lobbed a few condoms in the direction of some pilgrims, and fashioned a popemobile of their own, but the demonstrations did not amount to much.
The federal and New South Wales governments have apparently spent A$160 million ($200 million) for the event. No doubt there will be a lively public debate over the coming week about whether it was all worth it.
Thanks for all your comments on the blog earlier this week, especially from Chris Sidoti, who was quoted in the original piece. Has anything you have seen, heard or witnessed changed the way you think, or reinforced your thinking? Or, put another way, how was it all for you?
I'm 
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~13~RS~)
Comments
Sign in or register to comment.
At least, this time Nick tried to report on the good things that happened in Sydney. His other blog entry on the Pope's visit was an excersise in negativity. Why is it that the media, especially the ones in the UK, find it extremely difficult to appreciate any good from the Catholic Church? Anyway, thanks to the Aussies for a wonderful spectacle. Spain here we come!
Complain about this comment
I would agree with the person above...why oh why do the BBC and the British Media have to be so negative about the catholic church. It is embarassing.
Here we have half a million young people expressing themselves in a loving and peaceful manner and you cannot even be bothered to cover it in a neutral way.
There are many young British Catholics there who have spent the last two years fund raising and preparing spiritually for this special event.
It may make Britain a brighter place - instead of just showing the dark side of youth culture in Britain today show the light side young people doing good.
Complain about this comment
I worked for the Catholic Church in Sydney for four years up until the end of 2007. It was my observation and common knowledge to boot that the Church compels an extraordinary ascription to hierarchy amidst an overbearing culture that prohibits any dissent. This authoritarianism hardly makes the Church a place in which the word 'sorry' can be translated into meaningful action. I agree with Fr Chris Riley that the Church should give up trying to deal with child abuse within its own ranks and instead hand these matters over to the police and courts. As for the in-house counselling and support program for the adult survivors of clergy abuse, Towards Healing, that should be replaced by a government-funded, independent and clinically rigorous counselling service.
Complain about this comment
Why is there a person in that photo waving a one of the republican movements attempts at an Australian flag. I thought this was meant to be a 'Youth Day' run by the Catholic church, not a political activist day run by republicans?
Complain about this comment
Is it me, or it feels like this blog is of a "KKK simpatiser writing about a anti racialism rally"?!
Complain about this comment
Imagine what could have been done with $160million of taxpayer funds rather than funding a delusion-fest for the catholic church. If someone seriously proports to believe in invisible flying animals we tell them they are insane and lock them up and give them drugs -- yet if someone proports to believe in something equally absurd without a shred of empirical evidence and calls it "God" the taxpayers of NSW are called on to shell out $160 million for these delusional "pilgrims" to take over the city for a week to engage in encouraging more delusional behaviours. The catholic church and all other religions have no more basis for their claims than any delusional mental patient. The state of humanity and the world along with it will continue its current decline until people on this planet come to their senses, engage in rational thought and realise that ALL religion is delusion. There is no heaven, there is no hell. Life here and now on this planet is all there is. FULL STOP.
Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
JOHN LENNON
Complain about this comment
Wow. Government funded? That's quite embarrassing. Sounds like WYD is the Catholic church's way of brainwashing more and more children. It's quite offensive to see.
The reason so many people criticise the Catholic church (and just about any other organised religion), is that the traditional views held by believers of these faiths are unacceptable. We, the critics, cannot bring ourselves to be complacent on your draconian views on abortion, homosexuality or contraception. You, the religious lot, cannot bring yourselves to agree with our apparently "liberal" views. And therein lies the problem, a problem which won't be overcome any time soon. However we can find solace in the fact it's moving in the right direction. More and more people are realising this is all a bunch of claptrap. Thank god!
Complain about this comment
A few hundred years ago, the writer of (6) would have been burnt at the stake.
Now fortunately things have moved on.
Freedom of speach means the writer may say pretty much whatever she wants, without abuse.
And also, of course, means that if she can organise it, she could get $millions out of the public purse for organising a rally to her (non)religious standard.
And I think, personally, that a rally of some 225,000 young people is a huge success towards the goal where "the world will live as one"
Persuading young people requires more than just an appealing message - you'll have to capture the energy and imagination of their passions, and their songs.
Good Luck!!!
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
nikki noodle wrote:
nikki, in 2008, Roman Catholics (and other Christians) are imprisoned, beaten, and executed in Atheist China.
The hypocrisy of some Atheists is astounding. In a *single century* countries with Atheism as the state religion have murdered more of their own citizens in the name of stamping out 'superstition' than were killed in all the religious wars of the LAST TWO THOUSAND YEARS, and far, far more than the number of Atheists who were killed for being 'fools.' And they have the nerve to declare 'organised religion' to be the bane of society?
To those bitter Atheists out there with an axe to grind against other religions: take a look in the mirror first before criticizing others.
Complain about this comment
Atheism as a state religion? You do realise what you just said there.
Atheism is not a set of beliefs or values. It is simply a lack of belief in a superhuman deity. Thats it.
A better comparision to the state religion thing would be to say Chinas state religion is nationalism.
Hope this helps with the confusion your having
Complain about this comment
Ah I love the Catholic defence - firstly if you read the blogs they aren't negative, but if those who think they are got their way it would just be propaganda, you just want to hear your own beliefs
why not break out the old chestnuts as no.10 did that 'atheists' killed millions through the twentieth century (stalin, mao and hitler - despite hitler being christian) - the problem is none of it was done because of atheism - being an atheist is not subscribing to an 'atheist dogma', it is the same logic that blames it on the fact that hitler and stalin both had moustaches - what gets me is the ridiculously poor and pretty offensive argument used
I'm glad to be British where we don't have to put up with things like WYD
Complain about this comment
Hi to everyone -First time on this blog.
and yes my name is Mike and I have lived near Barcelona Spain for the last 12 years.
I have just returned from the 7 o'clock Mass at our Parish Church which my wife and I joined in 2002.
As with every other aspect of life and society here in Spain, the Catholic has been compleately transformed over the last 30 years since the death of Franco, dictator for 36 years. Today 98% of the members, clery and lay alike, are completely non-dogmatic. Christianity is now a matter of practice and which an individaul believe and practice regarding life style and relationships is entirely his or her own affair.
To give a concreate example, the former Abbat of the most important Monestry, when asked which he though about gay marriages. What is the problem with that. It is not going turn anyone else homosexual is it.
If people cannot accept what the Pope as head of the Church said, forgive and live in the light of the good news of the Gospel. Well they have the law if they must. Nobody, nobody has been forced to join any religion or church for a very long time, fortunately.
Complain about this comment
@JohnnyPrimus:
Atheism is the belief that there is no God (literally 'without God'-ism). You pointed that out. As such, Atheism is a belief system, in other words, a religion. Atheists believe that there is no God, and orient their lives accordingly.
Now, Atheism would probably not be considered an 'organized' religion, although some Atheists do organize themselves into groups or organizations with a structure approaching that of other religions--in some cases, even with a hierarchy tantamount to a clergy. That stated, Atheism is very much a religion.
And Atheism is the official religion (belief system) of China, Vietnam, Cuba, Laos, and was the official religion of the now-defunct Soviet Union and the countries of the 'Iron Curtain.' Fortunately, the surviving Atheist states have eased up on their persecution of adherents of other belief systems (religions), though they still imprison and murder far too many. The persecution's 'only' on the order of hundreds rather than millions.
Anyway, stop thinking that Atheism's exceptional in some way. It's just another attempt of several trying to explain the world around [humanity].
Complain about this comment
Oh, and not to be too cynical/paranoid, but smart move to post this on what is for most of the world a Sunday, when devout Christians would be at church, and thus less probable to read this and express their opinions here, while giving non-Christians (who in the West are primarily Atheist/Agnostic) basically free reign to go on a 'religion' bashing spree with less chance of opposition.
Complain about this comment
AnonymousCalifornian; i presume Nick wrote this blog on Sunday because the event occurred on that day? Do you perhaps have a little bit of a persecution complex?
Complain about this comment
Bad Theology produces Bad Action:
Celibacy of the Priesthood was instituted as the Syphilis Plague ravaged Europe, and the priests were an embarrassment to the Heirarchy!---The current Embarassment is that Priests in US suffer AIDS at a significantly greater rate than the general Population. The coverup, and 'Move-On.Org" attitude of the Heirarchy, in regards to the Secual Abuse, is an even greater Embarassment----They Just Don't Get It----God will explain it to them when they find themselves in the Goat Line
Complain about this comment
Nick
i thought the visit was nice and he must have enjoy himself....
Complain about this comment
News Blog means it should reflect current events...
It turns out the Pope did meet some abuse victims. It was in a prayerful manner and not some confrontational media event for the broken rights org so of course those people are not happy. I guess neither will the BBC.
Why don't you cover the fact that this is the ONLY remaining event for young people that isn't completely commercialized? You people would be falling over yourselves to congratulate the efforts of organizers if this was about "organic farming" and more than a handful of people came. Instead, here you have an event where over a quarter million young people came, there was NO crime, and all you have to say is "nicely choreographed" and other such balderdash.
You disproportionately covered the victims organization, which has a vested interest in staying in the media spotlight as well as that garish pro-condom group. People at the event completely ignored these people, because guess what, the world knows about condoms. If I put on a costume and go in front of Buckingham Palace to tell the regents to use condoms will you also put me on your front page?
People have a right to express themselves and I'm all for it but let's not pretend your coverage of WYD is balanced. I cannot wait for the spin from the broken rites people about what was wrong with the meeting.
Complain about this comment
Firstly, thanks to Jonnyprimus and histon4europe - it's amazing how much more convincing an argument sounds when stated reasonably and fairly - compare with the almost crazed writings of some on the other side of the fence here!
To respond to Anonymous Californian (the first post rather than the conspiracy theory second one): most Atheists in the world, would not support any State-sponsored persecution in their name, generally they're happy (if sometimes incredulous) for people to believe in whatever they like. Some religious types on the other hand appear to blindly support the teachings of their leaders, whatever the consequences, and cry foul if the media are in any way critical or questioning of these same teachings.
I for one expect religion to be separate from state. While I can see an argument for some taxpayers money being spent celebrating the festivals and beliefs of the population, the kind of money spent on the popes visit does seem excessive – maybe Atheists and other religions will be getting a tax credit?
Complain about this comment
Sydney was a bizzare place to be in for a non-religous person over the past week.
While most of it was a fairly well organised event and details of disruptions to road networks and public transport were well publicised before hand, Saturday night was another thing all together! For all us sinners heading from the Eastern Suburbs to the bright lights of Oxford Street, Kings Cross and the CBD for our usual nights of depravity on a Saturday night it was a nightmare. Who in their wisdom decided it would be a good idea to close off half of Surry Hills when it was not needed as all the pilgrims were listening to the Pope in Randwick? Coupled with Taxi drivers having no idea what was open or not! This just annoyed the non-god fearing Sydneysiders who had so far tolerated the happy clapping!
As for it being a government funded event, I'm not to happy about my taxes going towards this, and I doubt it was re-couped from the visting pilgrims as they all appeared to be on a shoe string budget!
Complain about this comment
I doubt whether Nick Bryant grasps anything about the Catholic Church. He is just another average journalist trying to make sense of what is really a mysterious event: a quarter of a million young people celebrating their faith in Jesus Christ and listening with great respect to an old man preaching a doctrine that goes completely against the grain of contemporary society. So the journalist has to latch on to what makes sense for him: division, negativity, scandal. In this way he misses the big picture.
The Pope did apologise for the sexual abuse; did meet some victims; did say that perpretrators were criminals who should be punished. But this will never be enough for some victims' groups. These are then used by the secular media to distort the overall message. We should never forget that only a tiny minority of priests committed these acts. The vast majority are kind and good men.
Complain about this comment
As I said in the previous blog, I am a an agnostic of Protestant background. But I object to the BBC and ABC's negative reporting of WYD.
I personally do not like watching sport but accept that a huge amount of government money is spent on its promotion because it has interest and benefit to many.
With the increase in fuel prices and world economic downturn, our tourist industry is in the doldrums.
For a variety of reasons, most of us were happy to share our city with the visitors, and we hope they all enjoyed themselves!
Complain about this comment
I'm a resident of Surry Hills in Sydney, an area very close to allot of the WYD activities. Although I'm not a Catholic myself I found it very hard not to to be swept away with the atmosphere it created. So many people from around the world walking the streets and singing on the trains. I can't understand how people could have a problem with the event. The cost to the state government was significant but world events like these are important for a city like Sydney to "stay on the map" so to speak. I went for a walk to Randwick where the final mass was being held yesterday morning and wound up attending the mass, quite a spectacle. What struck me was the sea of flags, people from all over the world uniting in peace. I couldn't believe how enthusiastic they all were. Sounds tacky but I found the whole thing to be very uplifting.
Complain about this comment
AnonymousCalifornian wrote
"Now, Atheism would probably not be considered an 'organized' religion, although some Atheists do organize themselves into groups or organizations with a structure approaching that of other religions--in some cases, even with a hierarchy tantamount to a clergy. That stated, Atheism is very much a religion."
Now this is called a strawman. You've created an extreme non-existent version of Atheism to argue against as it is easier than rebutting my previous statement.
Its similar to me stating the Pope is the head of the New World Order and is controlling the world via a mysterious cabal. Its easy to argue with however is clearly not true.
Anyway this imaginery organisation of Atheists seems to provide a crutch for you to blame things on so I'll leave you with it.
With regards to the Popes visit. Whether Catholics like it or not a lot of people find the Popes stance on many issues offensive. They are also allowed to voice this. The media is also not obliged to report positively on this visit. And he did not meet any victims of abuse in Australia. He just apologised publicly. I can't imagine if I'd been sheltering child abusers in my house that would have been enough.
Complain about this comment
Perhaps I am simply repeating what has been said already in which case I apologise, but it really is astonishing that an event which has proved so successful has received so little coverage in the UK.
We really do appear to be a bitter nation resentful of a religion that we thought had been destroyed by the reformation.
On another point, a bit of consistency would not go amiss amongst those who state the Catholic Church is irrelevant, but still appear to suggest it is a dreadful threat to our "wonderful" secular society.
Complain about this comment
It's not all that strange to read the same thinly veiled criticisms of WYD by this BBC muggins. The putdown technique includes fudging the figures: not 225,000 pilgrims,
Lord HawHaw Bryant but 400,000+ was the NSW police estimate of the throng crammed into Randwick racecourse. Bryant and others crib off each other and as a journo myself the technique is as much a bore as revealing. I have read Bryant's take in quite a few other equally original places virtually [virulently?] word for word. Fudging facts is 'crook' enough as we quaintly say here in the Antipodes, but to let personal atheistic phlegm colour crook facts is stinkybot journalism - what's new in this "spiritually arid age", NB? - not to say a betrayal of the responsibility owed by any scribe to his 'access to influence' [public pages, et al.]. If any don't think we belong
to a cynical, empty, arrogant sneering media society, the overall Bryant-bias contra WYD should change minds. Immaturity and a lack of goodwill go hand in hand in schoolboy scoffing. It's easy to be Christopher Hitchens, Dawkins inter al. because their religion [sic] forgives them everything without the need to admit fault. Where nothing is sacred except a lack of grace, only cynicism is left. Hardly worth poking fun at in return because what
is there substantial to 'graffitize' - surely a half-decent wailing needs a wall? Dogs know.
Complain about this comment
It's quite odd that many of the replies here focus on the Pope's apology, as though it were enough for them and should suffice for the victims. Perhaps believing in a dogma where you are absolved from you "sins" if you do a few hail Marys and then an ecclesiastical two-step that you are no longer responsible for your actions?
Let's remember that this is a man, who before the miracle of becoming God's spokesperson on Earth, actually wrote letters to Archbishops around the world ordering them to cover up all sexual abuse and threaten people with excommunication if they mentioned a word or came forward. Facts the BBC's own Panorama can attest to. Worse yet, he is head of an organization that is withholding priests from being extradited to stand trails in the U.S and other countries.
For those of us who see ecclesiastic law on par with playground rules invented for imaginary games, these sort of actions constitute grave obstructions of justice and should be review by secular courts of justice.
If by demanding terrestrial, real justice we are somehow missing the point, I'm all for missing it!
troyshouse.blogspot.com
Complain about this comment
Anybody else find it mildly comical that just two days after the Pope has left Sydney and barely have they cleaned up Randwick that Sexpo rolls into town just yards away from the mass site?
Ahhh Sydney back to it's usual glamorous self.
I wonder if any of the remaining pilgrims will attend..........................
Complain about this comment
Just heard on the radio that the pilgrims are being offered half price entry! Apparently Sexpo has the same dermographic as WYD!
Complain about this comment
Hi there.
I am 22 years old, from the UK and was a pilgrim at WYD 2008.
I would just like to thank everyone in Sydney for making us all feel as welcome as possible, and for being extremely friendly.
As for the funding, all pilgrims paid a registration fee, which was calculated on which pass you had, there were 3 options, and this was scaled depending on where on this planet you came from. I have no problems in saying that I paid £190 (-ish through currency exchange) for the week, which included food, transport, our bright backpacks and accommodation (which for me was a Home Stay). I also read that it was costing Sydney $50m to host it, and that pilgrims were spending about $250m on souvenirs etc. I for one have been here, in Australia, for 3 weeks, and am here for another 2 before going home.
I have met some wonderful people, seen how other cultures go about their prayer and worship, got within 5 metres of Pope Benedict and slept out at the Southern Cross Precinct (Randwick Racecourse and Centennial Park) among 250,000 other people.
The only thing I am disappointed about is that now it is over we have to wait 3 more years until everyone is friendly to each other again. I am now in Melbourne, and miss seeing the bright orange, yellow and red bags, with the goofy looking pilgrim passes and being able to wave and smile and say hi to complete strangers. For all you doubters the next one is in Madrid, go.
Complain about this comment
I cant believe Barmadu (28) is alluding to that BBC Panaroma program, one of the worst pieces of journalistic integrity. If we are to follow your logic, then Harry Redknapp is also involved in bungs everywhere, as alluded by another rubbish Panaroma program.
At a time when the UK is overun by youth crime, a genuine event that has captivated over 250,000 youths is being belittled by the British press and the atheist loby.
Isnt it funny then that on this same BBC site, they have a debate on how to get young people engaged to avoid crime? Maybe getting the Pope to London can help.
Complain about this comment
Come on people, stop bashing the BBC for promoting debate - their coverage seems pretty fair to me and at least Nick's blog seems to have got people talking.
It's good to hear from people who actually attended too, that kind of answers the original question that was asked.
But when all's said and done, this was a large, well-choreographed, pre-planned event on the opposite side of the world to the UK. Somewhat more significant than something like a pop concert but not all that dissimilar (to those of us none Catholics at least). Not exactly a big 'News' story.
Anyway, I've got to go, as the Global Atheist Lobby have a teleconference that's due to start in a min. We are such a large, well-organised, 'religious' group after all.
Complain about this comment
Let me get this straight zugental, simply because a bunch of young people get together and sing, clap their hands and adore the image of a man being violently tortured without any supposed incidents, we are to forgive and forget an institution that has been clearly shown to actively obstruct justice?
Is people's need for direction in their lives so great that they are willing to completely turn a blind eye to the overwhelming evidence that it was and continues to be the Catholic Church's official policy to hide, obstruct and do all they can to cover up the mass abuse of children by its priests? How do you defend bishop George Pell's recent cover ups?
The argument that these are just a "few bad apples" holds no water while the Vatican continues to exhibit these behaviours, like preventing the U.S justice system from extraditing pedophiles to stand trial in a secular court. If this homophobe's apology is to mean anything more than empty words, it must be followed up with action.
I can't see where the logic here is lost on you. It goes something like this:
Sexual Abuse of minors = Bad
Covering Up the Abuse = Bad
Moving offending priest to another parish where they can abuse new victims = Bad
Defending a corrupt organization that has promoted all of the above = well, you decide.
troyshouse.blogspot.com
Complain about this comment
4. At 11:47am on 20 Jul 2008, evanskuthorpe wrote:
Why is there a person in that photo waving a one of the republican movements attempts at an Australian flag. I thought this was meant to be a 'Youth Day' run by the Catholic church, not a political activist day run by republicans?
That is the flag of EAST TIMOR! Nice try though...and what is wrong with being republican!!
Complain about this comment
Am afraid Barmadu, you just dont get it. I am not in any way defending sexual abuse priests and neither did I invoke the "few bad apples" excuse.
My point is this. The Catholic Church is doing far more good in this world than its critics ever acknowledge.
The Church is the biggest charity in Africa, but all you hear is about the Church and condoms in Africa.
The Church upholds no-sex-before marriage and the sanctity of marriage - practices that have served humanity for ages. But critics simplify it to the Church's opposition to contraception.
The Vatican publishes its accounts annually(even a loss this year), but everytime, critics claim the church is mega rich.
The Vatican operates a superb democratic process to elect the pope, critics say he is unelected (what is different in MPs choosing the PM and Cardinals choosing the Pope?)
The Church gathers youths to share their faith. Critics call it a jamboree (while at the same time asking for how to engage youths in London to reduce knife crime).
The Pope apologizes for sexual crimes, the church pays damages to victims, overhauls its approach to issues etc. But what does it get? ... the media seeking out one lone victim and getting him to say it is not enough.
What else do you people want? For the Church to implode? Am sorry, that aint going to happen.
Complain about this comment
Comments 2 and 31, I was in Sydney for WYD and found the whole experience very positive - except for my unfortunate interactions with English pilgrams. Not english speaking, but English.
They swore in public in front of young children, forced other commuters to stand when they decided that they wanted to occupy train seats with their bags (or feet! despite the signs they could obviously read saying this was illegal and obviously disgusting) and had the audacity to treat the locals who had spent a darn sight more than $50 million on this event, with nothing short of contempt.
The German, Polynesian, Croatian and other pilgrams were a breath of fresh air. Next time please please teach your fellow parishoners that they are ambassadors of their dioceses, religion and country and should at least display a basic level of manners in public!
Complain about this comment
As non-Catholic Christian parents enthusiastic about this opportunity, we signed our child to attend WYD. After the last payment was made, it was announced - in so many words - that our child's attraction was more the party and less the spiritual or learning aspects. What a complete change in attitude in a fortnight! We have been told of the graciousness and utter warmth of the host families in the Blue Mountains, and the exhiliration - unlike at home - of being able to chat freely and openly to all other pilgrims once the WYD08 badge was spotted. Even the masses and group studies were describe with awe, and the Holy Father has attained near star status in our child's view. We heard that only one of the pilgrims snapped after intense provocation from the various protestors, and that every policeman they encountered said they were bored because there was no crime to investigate. And, in the end, the Pope did meet with abuse victims and, without scripting, made very strong apologies unlike any predecessor. I cannot think of any greater demonstration of a job well done and hope for mankind's future, let alone the reaffirmation of faith we felt, through this peaceful gathering of 400,000 young adults from over 160 countries.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
View these comments in RSS