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TechnoratiCatholic and cool in Sydney
After years of being booed offstage, the curtains have again opened and God is being greeted with tumultuous applause.
World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney was a triumph for the Catholic Church and its 81-year-old head, Pope Benedict XVI. About 400,000 people attended a final Mass on Sunday (July 20), briefly making the pilgrims’ destination bigger than the nation’s capital, Canberra. Some baffled journalists described it as a Catholic Woodstock – the 1969 orgy of, drugs and sex and rock ‘n roll which became an iconic moment for baby-boomers. But 40 years later, the world has moved in an unexpected direction. WYD, the biggest youth event in history, is an anti-Woodstock, a repudiation of the materialism and secularism of the baby-boomers.
After years of being booed offstage, the curtains have again opened and God is being greeted with tumultuous applause. As a young woman commenting the event on Australian TV said, with unabashed confidence, it used not to be “trendy” to be a Catholic in Sydney, but now “it’s become cool again”. No wonder the news that Madrid will host WYD 2011 was greeted with such jubilation.
The response of young people was stunning. About 125,000 pilgrims made their way from across the world, despite increased air fares and the immense distance which isolates Europe and the Americas from Australia. After months of scrimping and saving many from overseas would have spent 20 to 30 hours in the air to reach Sydney. And despite negative reports in the media and lukewarm support from many Catholic schools, they were joined by another 100,000 Australian pilgrims. On the last day, when Benedict celebrated a Mass at Randwick Race Course, thousands more joined them.
The Vatican and Sydney’s Cardinal George Pell had planned this event as a catechesis, a teachable moment, a festival of Catholic culture, teaching and prayer. For pilgrims who came early, dioceses around the country organised talks on controversial topics like Catholic views on sexuality, bioethics, faith and reason. During the week immediately before there were addresses from Catholic bishops from around the globe.
In fact, one of the striking features of Sydney’s World Youth Day was how naturally Gen Y slotted into traditional aspects of Catholic devotion and doctrine which the Woodstock generation spurned as fossilised relics of the pre-Vatican II era. Not so, said today’s youth.
Entering a new era
During the days leading up to the climactic Mass, young people were queuing up for the Catholic sacrament of Reconciliation, or Confession, and to spend time in prayer in churches before the Eucharist. Thousands walked 9 kilometres to Randwick across Sydney’s iconic Harbour Bridge– closed to traffic for only the third time in its history – often singing hymns or praying the Rosary if they were not kicking a football or skylarking. Some carried huge banners saying, “We love our German Shepherd”. A Saturday evening vigil was followed by vast slumber party on the site where Mass was to be celebrated the next day. Confessions continued throughout the night and even at three in the morning, a tent with the Blessed Sacrament exposed was full of young people praying.
And even the most churlish journalists had to admit that the pilgrims were cheerful, high-spirited and ordinary, not the scowling killjoy zealots some had expected. A group calling itself the No to Pope Coalition – a collection of drag queens, homosexuals, atheists and (believe it or not) lesbian Raelians – showered passing pilgrims with condoms as they streamed over the Harbour Bridge. But the stunt provoked only laughter and pained perplexity. "They've all got their own opinions," remarked an 18-year-old New Zealand girl. "We've got our own beliefs and we're not going to change it because of them."
Pope Benedict clearly enjoyed the celebration. Nowadays he responds more spontaneously to the enthusiasm and affection of crowds. But although he received a pop star’s welcome, he had came as Pope “to the end of the world” determined to reenergise the Church in Australia and to urge young people to commit themselves to God.
Four themes of Benedict’s catechesis
The intriguing thing about Benedict is that a man of his age, shy, modest and uncharismatic, convinces by virtue of his perceptiveness and rigour and clarity. His addresses at World Youth Day were pitched at a high level. They were intellectual, without rhetorical flourishes, and went straight to the heart of the conflict between religion and secular culture. Four messages stood out.
Speaking to all Australians, the Pope lamented that “In so many of our societies, side by side with material prosperity, a spiritual desert is spreading: an interior emptiness, an unnamed fear, a quiet sense of despair.” He constantly attributed this to the scourge of relativism, the belief that there is no truth. Instead, people are offered mere “experiences” with no standard by which to judge them.
To all believers, the Pope brought encouragement to continue to fight to keep religion in the public square. In one of his most interesting addresses, to representatives of the non-Christian religions, he countered the assertion that religion and violence are inextricably mixed.
A yearning for the transcendent leads people to realise that fulfilment does not consist in selfishness. “Rather, it leads us to meet the needs of others and to search for concrete ways to contribute to the common good. Religions have a special role in this regard, for they teach people that authentic service requires sacrifice and self-discipline, which in turn must be cultivated through self-denial, temperance and a moderate use of the world’s goods. In this way, men and women are led to regard the environment as a marvel to be pondered and respected rather than a commodity for mere consumption. It is incumbent upon religious people to demonstrate that it is possible to find joy in living simply and modestly, generously sharing one’s surplus with those suffering from want.”
To Catholics, the Pope emphasised unity. His address to the evening vigil was a stunning overview of the theology of unity. Although it may have gone over the head of many of the sleepy pilgrims waving candles in the darkness, he gave a masterful sketch of Augustine’s struggle to grasp the meaning of the Trinity, the central doctrine of Christianity. And he used this to make a pointed appeal for unity within the Church itself, urging Catholics to reject the temptation to set their local community against the “so-called institutional Church”.
“For it is precisely the comprehensiveness, the vast vision, of our faith – solid yet open, consistent yet dynamic, true yet constantly growing in insight – that we can offer our world.”
And to young people, over and over again, he emphasised their responsibility to pass on their faith to others. He called upon them to be prophets of a new society: “a new age in which love is not greedy or self-seeking, but pure, faithful and genuinely free, open to others, respectful of their dignity, seeking their good, radiating joy and beauty. A new age in which hope liberates us from the shallowness, apathy and self-absorption which deaden our souls and poison our relationships.”
Enormous challenges ahead
The task of rebuilding the Catholic Church, in Australia as elsewhere, is an enormous challenge. Almost overshadowing the exuberant welcome given to the Pope in the local media were protests by victims of clergy sex abuse. It is claimed that more than 100 Catholic clergy have been jailed for this in recent years. There were insistent calls for an apology – and the Pope apologised during a Mass with the bishops, seminarians and young religious: “These misdeeds, which constitute so grave a betrayal of trust, deserve unequivocal condemnation. They have caused great pain and have damaged the Church’s witness... Victims should receive compassion and care, and those responsible for these evils must be brought to justice”.
Despite the shadows, Benedict’s rapturous reception in Sydney shows that Christianity is far from dead, or even dormant. Flags from dozens of countries were waving in the stiff breeze which blew up as World Youth Day drew to a close. Amongst them was the red star of the People’s Republic of China. Even there, in an officially Communist regime, the Pope has enthusiasts. Over the past five years a bitter secularism has sought to push religion into a closet. Books by proselytising atheists have captured the imagination of the media. Now, after a week of joyful, unashamed religious sentiment Down Under, everyone knows that there is a viable alternative. God is back in the game.
Michael Cook is editor of MercatorNet.
I know WYD is not the answer for everything, but it leaves a mark. I’ve been in four of them I can recall everyone of them. Enthusiasm will disappear but the Holy Spirit uses the Holy Father and WYD.
World Youth Day was an enormous blessing to the Church!
For all who put forth an effort, from pilgrims attending and their sacrifices to all involved in the undertaking in Australia, thank you!
This outpouring of the Holy Spirit was not only for Australia, but for the whole world;whether able to participate live or through the media. The Holy Father said, one only need to “receive” what the Holy Spirit is dying to give us- communion with each other, His gifts and His LOVE- His greatest gift.
To the teachers who commented..thanks for taking the time to give us a picture of what it is like with the majority of Australian Youth. As teachers, you could have so much influence over these “lukewarm” youth..may you ask to receive a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit yourselves through prayer and catch the fire that so desperately needs to be spread.
Fruits, there were and will be nonetheless! The Holy Spirit will not be undone in generosity..
Anthony, I can only thank the good God that you’re not a youth minister in my kids’ school. With friends like you…
It would be more intellectually honest of you to re-examine your obvious bias against the “intellectual elite” of the Church. If, in fact, you harbour the thoughts you’ve expressed, please do your students (& their parents!) a favor & move on to a secular establishment where your bias (& may I say bitterness) isn’t infecting the student body under the guise of ‘ministering’ to them.
The truth is that our “Pater Familias” was given that position by the Lord Jesus Christ himself 2,000 yrs ago. Yes, one the purposes of WYD is restorative but, since you obviously weren’t listening very closely, you missed B16’s many exhortations to go out to all the world & tell the good news.
Your comment reminds me of Fr Benedict Groeschel who is found of quoting his grandmother’s saying: It takes a sick bird to soil its own nest.
Thanks Michael for a well balanced and honest article. I too am a teacher and yes I agree there was lukewarm approach from many schools but that is only reflective of the Catholic Education system, many so-called Catholic teachers who have attended so-called Catholic universities and many of young students who are uneducated in the faith from home. WYD08 was great. I was initially skeptical myself. And this was because of the people that I have generally been associated with WYD08 (some people who are not serious about the faith). However, the Spirit works in amazing ways and my loyalty to God obliged to participate.
To all the negative comments I say wake up to yourself. What I experienced during WYD08 is the most positive I have in all my life in this country. I am looking forward to go back to my class rooms to discuss the past week with my students. It truly was a Catholic blessing. Too often the Catholic Church in Australia recieves a beating from the media and minority groups. However our numbers truly made the minority look that way. The other positive thing is the way many of the young people I spoke to were truly loyal and obedient to God. They know that they did not need sex, drugs or alcohol to be happy, have fun and enjoy the company of like minded people. It was reported by our senior police commissioner that crime was down during the week and that they did not need so many police because the crowds were so well behaved.
The truth Jesus Christ was truly shown through these young people and the Holy Spirit was alive in their hearts as they prayed to God the father. our Lady was truly proud of her children in the way they honoured her son. God bless all the young brothers, nuns, seminarians, deacons and priests. And most of all thanks to our shepherds (some who travelled thousands of km) and their honest and authentic teachings. God bless Pope Benedict XVI and his great predecessor for starting a beautiful theme (WYD) to encourage the faithful back. GB
To David Page- Yes, God did tell mtm some more things. But he told you and everybody else that cares to listen: I am the way , the truth and the life; anyone who believes in me will be saved. I understand there’s a book on this very topic, it’s called the bible. Bill
As a Catholic in Sydney, with children of various ages involved in WYD, I found the entire event inspiring, thought provoking and demanding.
We had some pilgrims ( A young Spaniard and 2 girls from Dubai ) stay with us. One of my daughters helped some Argentinian pilgrims. The meeting of young Catholics was great and helped my children have a more “universal” outlook. I and my wife met many from various countries. We enjoyed hearing about evangelisation around the world. It was moving to see the Pope and realise that this elderly man, brilliant, and by nature a scholar, who would have rather been back in Europe teaching and publishing,was really making a tremendous effort to travel this enormous distance for the sake of the ‘Body of Christ’.
I heard an ABC journalist comment on radio that, while she was not a Catholic and realised some would be saying “bah..humbug”, she found the cheerfulness and warmth of the young pilgrims refreshing and hoped that some of it would “ rub off” on her teenager.
The catechesis was very good and again my children found the content, particularly the talks given on the ‘ Theology of the Body’, very interesting.
The sexual abuse issue was raised in a manner that suggested that those raising it would never be satisfied no matter what the Church did or said. The day after the Pope met with and celebrated Mass for some victims, the Sydney Morning Herald ran a headline about a “secret Mass” by the Pope and suggested he had delibertely avoided meeting other victims.
I think each WYD will become better and better as experience is passed on and the Church begins to meet more and more young pilgrims.
I’m hoping to go to Madrid. My wife thinks I’m nuts!
There is no doubt that World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney was, in deed, a triumph for the Catholic Church and a great opportunity for the young to celebrate and renew their faith. Now that it is over, the on-going effect it will have on people will depend upon the effect they want it to have. Those who considered it to be merely a one-off happy event then that’s what it will be for them. Those who considered it to be another opportunity to enhance their love for God and his Church with all that this relationship entails and promises will continue to experience the goodness inherent in an experience such as this.
Hi Brent,
I guess time will tell. After long reflection I think that the fight is unwinnable. My experience of WYD locally is that it has set Catholic youth evangelisation back years. For decades liberalism has undermined a genuine orthodox Catholicism, I am amazed how the neo-traditionalists are doing the same. I don’t want ‘Catholic lite’ but antiquarianism isn’t the answer either.
Where I sat at the final mass people slept, talked and bought food from the open concession booths even during eucharist. Speaking to committed young Catholics that attended they report having lots of fun and enjoying being in majority for a change but when your strongest leaders seriously described Batman at IMax as the spiritual highlight of the week, there’s a problem.
For myself I’m going to the sacraments with the Carmelites but I’ve joined the Hillsong crew for the rest. Someone described Pentecostalism as ‘Catholicism without Priests’ and all things considered I think that’s a the best option out there.
Anthony, please don’t “rain on Jeffs parade” of joy after WYD.
I was more cynical than you about its success and value, but have recognised that this event was been watched far more carefully by the pope and Monsignor Marini, than any of JPII’s
events, that I believe were managed by people who were less sympathetic to genuine Catholicism.I am also a high school teacher, and, yes, there were the “usual suspects” from schools who were always going to be there. But singing at three major events, I spoke to many young people sporting tatoos, nose rings, and, God forbid, like me, even smokers.(I bludged one from a group of cardinals and bishops in my cassock afterwards!) So it wasn’t just the “goodeytwoshoes set” who were there . I witnessed and was party in presenting many of the best cultural aspects of Catholicism and was proud of it. Mostly good music and liturgy which hopefully we will see much more of in His pontificate. This is going to attract more young people than the daggy, aesthetically and philosophically bankrupt generation of the 60’s generation that I had to endure. Ok, Napoleon, like Paul VI, getting rid of the triple tiara, lost his crown. So what? Benedict has replaced that crown with orthodox thinking and practice which will eventually capture more souls for Christ than the last 40 years has produced, so get over it, and be happy that we will become more relevant than the Hillsong set.
My WYD experience was simply wonderful. We began our immersion by hosting 3 beautiful pilgrims from England for four days and then went to Sydney for the weekend for the mass. What an awesome time we have had. I too, have never felt so proud to be a Catholic in my 46 years of life. It was extremely spiritual and faith building and something I will never forget. My husband and 2 children feel the same, as does the other families and friends that we shared it with.
I believe that Australia will see a revival in the Catholic church, along with increased priest and religious vocations.
Pope Benedict, and indeed everyone involved did a great job - Sydney was truly transformed - a lot of people have been deeply touched.
Now it is up to all of us to continue praying for all those who attended and for the blessings that will be forthcoming. Prayer is the answer for our beautiful Catholic Church and faith to grow and grow in all aspects!!
Anthony, there is no “self-congratulation” in the article. It says that the Church in Australia faces huge challenges. But its main point is that it is now (at least for a while) acceptable for a Catholic in Australia to say publicly that he believes in the Catholic Church without being made to feel that he should apologise for his and its existence.
Wyd 2008 has been, and will continue to be, fantastic for our country. A big thankyou to all those who came from near and far to celebrate and show-case the wonderful living-heritage that is The Catholic Faith.
Who? Nietzsche? ;)
When Napoleon crowned himself (taking the crown from the Pope), his mother supposedly said to herself “If only it lasts.”
Michael your article reflects the buzz here in the Sydney-Canberra region however we shouldn’t get carried away. You accurately point out that school support was lukewarm (I am youth minister in a school) but at least in my diocese this was due to a saturation promotion campaign that was heavy handed and pitched to the tiny numbers of Catholic faithful. In my diocese attendance was somewhere around 10% of early predications. The WYD campaign was seized by the traditionalist elite to bring everyone else under their tight control. All the youth attending from my school and alumni were already strong Christians but even they have mixed feelings.
It seems that the event showcased our strengths; wide organisational reach, cultural memory and sacramental experience but also our weaknesses; the inability to attract unchurched Aussies (there were after all only about 100,000 local pilgrims during holidays and in a time of economic prosperity), inability to tolerate variety and an alarming personality cult.
It seems to me that WYD was akin to the pater familias taking his family away for a restorative holiday. Fun was had and old ties re-rengaged. However unless he makes lasting changes to the way things are done, the novelty will pass and the reaction will set in.
Self congratulation is a very dangerous emotion.
I am a Sydneysider Aussie Catholic who has been a member of our city’s St. Mary’s Cathedral Choir since 1978 (on and off).
I was so excited about meeting Catholics from all around the world whom I met who truly will be great witnesses for Christ in His Church, which He instituted, and not be led astray by religious sects, as many of my generation were, because it’s bishops were not strong enough to stand up and demand that the heart AND mind must work together in order for Jesus’ message to be proclaimed. I don’t want to put anyone down, but let’s remember that Protestants certainly do not have a monopoly on being “evangelical”. Who do they think spread the Word of Jesus Christ for 1500 years before they came along?
I hope all WYD pilgrims had as much fun and learned more about what our Holy Father wants us all to relearn as being the genuine truth of Catholicism, as I did. If The Church continues in it’s present genuine mission for the next three years under Benedict XVI, I will be meeting up with all the enthusiastic Spanish pilgrims I met here in my own city in Madrid!!! I was the most proud of being a Catholic last week
as I ever have been in my 47 years of life! May God grant all of the thousands of contributors, from Cardinal Pell and Bishop Anthony Fisher to all the pilgrims who travelled to my beautiful country abundant blessings in life!
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