RubySoho
Winston
Seven Things I Learned From World Youth Day
July 28th 2008 12:48
The dust has settled. The pilgrims have returned from whence they came. The Pope has left the building. And Australia can go back to being one of the least religious countries
on the planet once again. Or can we? For just as I assume is the case with every other Australian, World Youth Day (WYD) 08 has left an indelible mark on me. So,in keeping with the Catholic Church’s love of all things seven, you know Seventh Heaven, Seven Deadly Sins, the Pope apologising to seven abuse victims - okay that was only four - but you know, I thought I’d help him along a little.
Six days of love and Jesus, and this is what it all boils down to for me. There are seven things I learned from WYD and my life is oh-so-richer for it.
Number 7: Priests are sexy
That’s right. I’m not sure how many are aware of this but for the past three years the Vatican has put out a calendar of its hottest, youngest and most succulently smouldering clergy. Obviously the Church has either not realised that it is the sexuality of its priests that has landed it into such hot water of late, or it doesn’t much care.
But never mind that. The Calendario Ramano 2008, is a sort of “best of” from the last three years and is sure to get all hot blooded women - and more than a few men - a little hot under the collar.
Here is a sample of what you will find:
All I can say is...phwoar!!! Bless me father for I have sinned...
Number 6: It’s not cheap to be a pilgrim. I mean, apart from the cost of travelling from all four corners of the globe, every registered pilgrim then had to cough up $335 for a full week’s registration before they were able to express their love and faith in Jesus. Render unto Caesar the things that are Casers, render unto God the things that are Gods. And, render everything else you have to the organisers of World Youth Day.
I don’t mean to be cynical but surely, the Church didn’t really need this extra spot of cash did it?
Number 5: Did you know young Catholics use contraception! This was, by far, the best bit of news to come out of WYD for me. According to ABC radio, there were numerous reports of young pilgrims sharing their faith and ahem, love for each other, and making good use of the free condoms handed to them by the “No to Pope” coalition protestors.
First, I’m glad to hear of young Catholics trying before they go a-buying. I mean, come on, you are only young once: live a little, be a little naughty, what’s the worst that can happen? An eternity of being burned to a cinder by the God that loves you so very much?
Second, I am also gratified to hear they are ignoring the Pope’s no contraception message, and actually being careful and responsible. Every sperm is not sacred it seems. It warms my heart, it really does.
My German housemates - who were fortunate enough to be present at the last WYD in Cologne - reported that the aftermath of the event saw the parks littered with used condoms and a mad, mass rush to the pharmacy for the morning after pill. It really is just like Schoolies Week for the spiritual.
Number 4: Global warming is a myth. That’s right. Cardinal George Pell said so. Actually, the words of the Sydney Archbishop were more along the lines of there is not enough evidence pointing to man-made climate change. "I'm a bit of a sceptic about the claim that human activity is likely to produce a man-made catastrophe … I'm well aware that over the years, there have been great changes in the climate."
I have already discussed this in a previous post but damn if I'm not going to repeat myself, the irony is just that good. Cardinal George Pell, a practising Catholic, who believes in the existence and intervention of a Supreme Being; who believes that Jesus was conceived despite the fact his mother had never had sex; that this same virgin never died but ascended to Heaven in physical form; that Jesus rose from the dead; that saints perform miracles; who believes all of these stories, cites lack of evidence for anthropogenic global warming.
But wait, there’s more! George Pell also has this to say on this complex issue:
"Some of the hysteric and extreme claims about global warming are also a symptom of pagan emptiness, of Western fear when confronted by the immense and basically uncontrollable forces of nature. Belief in a benign God who is master of the universe has a steadying psychological effect … In the past pagans sacrificed animals and even humans in vain attempts to placate capricious and cruel gods. Today they demand a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions."
Has Cardinal Pell ever heard of Abraham, who was most certainly not a pagan and who was most certainly prepared to sacrifice his own son (Isaac if you’re Judeo-Christian, Ishmael if you are Muslim), to God? Actually, more to the point has he ever heard of science? Excuse me for this is where I must pause for a moment - to bang my head on my desk.
Number 3: Victims of sex abuse by the Catholic clergy should just get over it. Well, that’s what WYD co-ordinator and Bishop Anthony Fisher says. And a priest is never wrong, right?
Anthony and Christine Foster are the parents of two girls who were both sexually abused by the same Melbourne priest. They travelled to Australia in the hope of attracting the Pope’s attention to their story and the ongoing pain they feel as a result of what happened to their daughters.
Fisher made the following remarks:
"Happily, I think most of Australia was enjoying [and] delighting in the beauty and goodness of these young people and the hope for us doing these sorts of things better in the future, as we saw last night, rather than dwelling crankily, as a few people are doing, on old wounds".
Not only were these remarks grossly insensitive, they were also clearly erroneous. The Foster’s wounds are not old. Their eldest daughter Emma committed suicide just this year at the age of 26, and her sister, was hit by a drink driver in 1999 after engaging in heavy drinking herself. That accident left Katherine disabled.
Number 2: The world is underpopulated. That lesson is from George Pell again. OK, let’s put aside the irony of a celibate priest complaining about the lack of effort on the part of westerners to procreate, how about we focus on the important stuff? Let us encourage everyone to have as many kids as possible, because there is obviously not enough pressure on the world’s rapidly depleting resources as it is. Because we are not going through a water crisis, or a food crisis, or an oil crisis. Because we don’t only have 100 months to deal with Climate Change or face the dire consequences. More kids, less environmental sustainability please.
And finally, the Number 1 thing I learned from world Youth day '08: Pope Benedict XVI is “way cool man”. After all, there is a reason they call him the 'techno Pope' and it’s not because he likes to frequent night clubs and raves. It’s because, not only does he own an iPod, but he also has a mobile and can send text messages and everything. Not only that, but he has a cool text moniker, check it out - BXVI. Now that’s what I call “getting jiggy with it”. OK, that was a rather passé attempt at sounding cool, but then so is the message sent on July 16:
[T]he Holy Spirit gave the Apostles and gives u the power boldly 2 proclaim that Christ is risen! - BXVI.
I would have preferred the shorter and simpler “Gods gr8 & u r 2”.
But then, he is 82-years-old; maybe I should be giving (phone) credit just for being able to press send.
-Ruby
on the planet once again. Or can we? For just as I assume is the case with every other Australian, World Youth Day (WYD) 08 has left an indelible mark on me. So,in keeping with the Catholic Church’s love of all things seven, you know Seventh Heaven, Seven Deadly Sins, the Pope apologising to seven abuse victims - okay that was only four - but you know, I thought I’d help him along a little.
Six days of love and Jesus, and this is what it all boils down to for me. There are seven things I learned from WYD and my life is oh-so-richer for it.
Number 7: Priests are sexy
That’s right. I’m not sure how many are aware of this but for the past three years the Vatican has put out a calendar of its hottest, youngest and most succulently smouldering clergy. Obviously the Church has either not realised that it is the sexuality of its priests that has landed it into such hot water of late, or it doesn’t much care.
But never mind that. The Calendario Ramano 2008, is a sort of “best of” from the last three years and is sure to get all hot blooded women - and more than a few men - a little hot under the collar.
Here is a sample of what you will find:
All I can say is...phwoar!!! Bless me father for I have sinned...
Number 6: It’s not cheap to be a pilgrim. I mean, apart from the cost of travelling from all four corners of the globe, every registered pilgrim then had to cough up $335 for a full week’s registration before they were able to express their love and faith in Jesus. Render unto Caesar the things that are Casers, render unto God the things that are Gods. And, render everything else you have to the organisers of World Youth Day.
I don’t mean to be cynical but surely, the Church didn’t really need this extra spot of cash did it?
Number 5: Did you know young Catholics use contraception! This was, by far, the best bit of news to come out of WYD for me. According to ABC radio, there were numerous reports of young pilgrims sharing their faith and ahem, love for each other, and making good use of the free condoms handed to them by the “No to Pope” coalition protestors.
First, I’m glad to hear of young Catholics trying before they go a-buying. I mean, come on, you are only young once: live a little, be a little naughty, what’s the worst that can happen? An eternity of being burned to a cinder by the God that loves you so very much?
Second, I am also gratified to hear they are ignoring the Pope’s no contraception message, and actually being careful and responsible. Every sperm is not sacred it seems. It warms my heart, it really does.
My German housemates - who were fortunate enough to be present at the last WYD in Cologne - reported that the aftermath of the event saw the parks littered with used condoms and a mad, mass rush to the pharmacy for the morning after pill. It really is just like Schoolies Week for the spiritual.
Number 4: Global warming is a myth. That’s right. Cardinal George Pell said so. Actually, the words of the Sydney Archbishop were more along the lines of there is not enough evidence pointing to man-made climate change. "I'm a bit of a sceptic about the claim that human activity is likely to produce a man-made catastrophe … I'm well aware that over the years, there have been great changes in the climate."
I have already discussed this in a previous post but damn if I'm not going to repeat myself, the irony is just that good. Cardinal George Pell, a practising Catholic, who believes in the existence and intervention of a Supreme Being; who believes that Jesus was conceived despite the fact his mother had never had sex; that this same virgin never died but ascended to Heaven in physical form; that Jesus rose from the dead; that saints perform miracles; who believes all of these stories, cites lack of evidence for anthropogenic global warming.
But wait, there’s more! George Pell also has this to say on this complex issue:
"Some of the hysteric and extreme claims about global warming are also a symptom of pagan emptiness, of Western fear when confronted by the immense and basically uncontrollable forces of nature. Belief in a benign God who is master of the universe has a steadying psychological effect … In the past pagans sacrificed animals and even humans in vain attempts to placate capricious and cruel gods. Today they demand a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions."
Has Cardinal Pell ever heard of Abraham, who was most certainly not a pagan and who was most certainly prepared to sacrifice his own son (Isaac if you’re Judeo-Christian, Ishmael if you are Muslim), to God? Actually, more to the point has he ever heard of science? Excuse me for this is where I must pause for a moment - to bang my head on my desk.
Number 3: Victims of sex abuse by the Catholic clergy should just get over it. Well, that’s what WYD co-ordinator and Bishop Anthony Fisher says. And a priest is never wrong, right?
Anthony and Christine Foster are the parents of two girls who were both sexually abused by the same Melbourne priest. They travelled to Australia in the hope of attracting the Pope’s attention to their story and the ongoing pain they feel as a result of what happened to their daughters.
Fisher made the following remarks:
"Happily, I think most of Australia was enjoying [and] delighting in the beauty and goodness of these young people and the hope for us doing these sorts of things better in the future, as we saw last night, rather than dwelling crankily, as a few people are doing, on old wounds".
Not only were these remarks grossly insensitive, they were also clearly erroneous. The Foster’s wounds are not old. Their eldest daughter Emma committed suicide just this year at the age of 26, and her sister, was hit by a drink driver in 1999 after engaging in heavy drinking herself. That accident left Katherine disabled.
Number 2: The world is underpopulated. That lesson is from George Pell again. OK, let’s put aside the irony of a celibate priest complaining about the lack of effort on the part of westerners to procreate, how about we focus on the important stuff? Let us encourage everyone to have as many kids as possible, because there is obviously not enough pressure on the world’s rapidly depleting resources as it is. Because we are not going through a water crisis, or a food crisis, or an oil crisis. Because we don’t only have 100 months to deal with Climate Change or face the dire consequences. More kids, less environmental sustainability please.
And finally, the Number 1 thing I learned from world Youth day '08: Pope Benedict XVI is “way cool man”. After all, there is a reason they call him the 'techno Pope' and it’s not because he likes to frequent night clubs and raves. It’s because, not only does he own an iPod, but he also has a mobile and can send text messages and everything. Not only that, but he has a cool text moniker, check it out - BXVI. Now that’s what I call “getting jiggy with it”. OK, that was a rather passé attempt at sounding cool, but then so is the message sent on July 16:
[T]he Holy Spirit gave the Apostles and gives u the power boldly 2 proclaim that Christ is risen! - BXVI.
I would have preferred the shorter and simpler “Gods gr8 & u r 2”.
But then, he is 82-years-old; maybe I should be giving (phone) credit just for being able to press send.
-Ruby
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Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
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Artist Quirk
when they say they need more children they mean more white christian children so they can bulk up their army for the next holy war . . . its basically just a competition with muslims, they dont want to be out-populated by another religion . . . its like the cold war of breeding!
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Comment by alt_ed
Alted Opinion
ArtCombat
The Inner Saintdom
Wow, you sure did learn a lot from WYD08, top of the class... All I learn't was despite religion and state being 'separate' if you're Catholic, the state will bend over 'backwards' for you
Comment by Anonymous
I wrote the article about the Catholic Church immedately above yours on OLO. I thought my writing was fairly good - until I read yours. There are amateurs and then there are the professionals.
Brian Holden
Comment by Jeff Musall
Secular Humanity
Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by Mr Nice Guy
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Comment by alt_ed
Alted Opinion
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The Inner Saintdom
We're still waiting for them to prove God exists and you're worried about why they've called a week a day! Where are your priorities man?!
Comment by Summer Minor
Kitten Politics
Gotta love em!
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
its kind of like narcotics cops taking a healthy snort of all the cocaine they confiscate!
whats not good for the gander is definately good for the goose!
Comment by Anonymous
Cib, not only did the morning after pill sales go up and the litter of many many used condoms noted, brothels repoted a 20 per cent increase in business during World Youth Week SEE HERE
Cheryl J
Comment by The wonderful Peter Yang
The wonderful Peter Yang's No.1 blog
The wonderful Peter Yang's Ghost Story Blog
Cheers
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
Australia can go back to being one of the least religious countries on the planet once again
Yay, go Aus... I've always loved that about it, and one of the reasons I have for staying here as opposed to moving to the USA. But the USA always wins out for other reasons.
World Youth Day (WYD) 08 has left an indelible mark on me
It seems to have affected you a lot more than it has me, and I actually live in Syd! I didn't watch much of the news during that week, and while I went out on the Saturday night, the city was pretty much deserted due to all the road blockages.
Priests are sexy
It's always such a shame when hot guys turn out to be priests, isn't it? I've seen some incredibly good-looking skinheads in my time, too.
And, render everything else you have to the organisers of World Youth Day.
Lol. One reason I don't go to many academic conferences is that you actually have to pay to present your work and/or listen to the other presenters. It just doesn't feel right, somehow.
Hey Ruby, have you seen the Edward Norton-directed romantic comedy 'Keeping the Faith'? It's one of my favourite movies.
It really is just like Schoolies Week for the spiritual.
Heh heh.
Re: Pell, my mum is a lecturer at the Australian Catholic University and she often complains about the latest ludicrous demand the church makes on the university. Not my favourite guy.
More kids, less environmental sustainability please.
Let's just hope ppl 'lose their religion' a little bit faster...
Pope Benedict is a hateful man (just look up his comments on homosexuals) for whom I have little respect. I'm so glad him and any other shiny, happy, homophobic people have left the state - good riddance, I say!
Comment by Ahmed
techy.Bytes
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Little Green Foosballs
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Cinema Three
Also: people always look more attractive in black and white.
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
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Comment by Ahmed
techy.Bytes
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
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Qwerk
Cinema Three
You're just desperate for some attention ^_^
Comment by Ahmed
techy.Bytes
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Qwerk
Cinema Three
>It's always such a shame when hot guys turn out to be priests, isn't it? I've seen some incredibly good-looking skinheads in my time, too.
sez a lot about your taste in men, argh.
Comment by postmoderncritic
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Comment by postmoderncritic
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But since you raise it, you should know that I am more likely to find someone good-looking if they are nice, intelligent, complicated and open-minded. So the number of Christians and skinheads I've found attractive is low compared to other types I've found attractive.
Comment by Ahmed
techy.Bytes
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Qwerk
Cinema Three
Waaait a second, one minute you're like 'I don't want the attention' then you're 'but since you raised it...'
rofl, reminds me how in the simpsons homer says 'I don't want your love or your applie pie' and his mother replies 'you already ate the whole thing'.
Also:
ok, how about I agree with you on the personality attractiveness routine and say I've never found skinhead-ettes attractive?
Nice attempt at a recovery, but there's nothing wrong with being superficial
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
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Padsoc
Can anyone ever be purely artificial? Every face comes with a personality attached, so even a first glimpse of someone gives you the impression of their soul, or their spiritual make-up.
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
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Padsoc
Comment by Ahmed
techy.Bytes
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
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Cinema Three
tonight....?
Comment by postmoderncritic
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Comment by Ahmed
techy.Bytes
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
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Cinema Three
What ever so intelligent and progressive comment will you have next? 'Even poo deserves love'?
Comment by postmoderncritic
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Padsoc
I'll repeat myself if it's worth saying again - for a grown up human person you have a 2 year old's obsession with faeces. Couldn't you at least find something more pleasant to fixate upon?
Comment by Ahmed
techy.Bytes
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
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Cinema Three
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
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Padsoc
Hey Ahmed, do you have MSN? It would be wise not to further hijack Ruby's post. You never know, you might learn something.
Comment by Ahmed
techy.Bytes
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Comment by postmoderncritic
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Comment by Ahmed
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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i much prefer your conversations to some of the "sluts are wicked" type debates going on of late . . . at least you guys are playful!
Comment by Ahmed
techy.Bytes
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Qwerk
Cinema Three
I'll save the msn conversation for you.
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Haha Jeff, I think my one trip to Hades was assured a long time ago.
Hey Cibb, I've searched the internet high and low for info about the morning after pill incidents but couldn't yield anything. that's why I was careful to state that it was heresay...thought I can't see why my flatmates would lie about that...but yeah, don't take that as Gospel, but just as an indication that the Chruch's hold on its people may not be as strong as we are led to believe.
MNG, that bothered the crap out of me too.
Alt_ed, if they proved that God existed then they wouldn't have to have faith and without faith there can be no God so lack of evidence actually PROVES there is a God.
Confused? Good.
Hey Summer and Morgan, Oh I just love stories like that! hypocrisy is truly an art form.
Hey thanks Cheryl, this was one of those really fun posts to write that just seem to roll out on their own. Thanks for that link. As I told Cibb above, I couldn't track one down so I'm going to check that one out now.
Thanks Wonderful Peter, glad you got a kick out of it.
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Oh and WYD didn't really live an indelibe mark on me. Just been sarcastic. I wasn't even in Sydney at the time. But I did have fun watching the shenanigans from a safe distance.
Hi Ahmed, to be honest its more the way the 'priest' is suggestively about to bite into that tasty morsel that has me all flustered.
Also, i do think there are way too many people. But that's another debate for another time.
And with that I'll leave Ahmed and PoMo to their little lovers tryst. haha.
Cheers everyone,
Ruby
Comment by Natalie 2
My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog
I just told Morgan I have a "Thorn Birds" complex, and you just proved it.
I'm sick.
Comment by Smooth Political
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Hi Smooth, I do agree. Fact is the Catholic Church did its best to hide all allegations of sex abuse and it was only when it was caught out that it finally began to do anything about it. I don't understand why people such as myself gets criticised when we write negatively about institutions like the Church, when all we are doing is commenting on its actions.
Here is an interesting link regarding the document sent out about 40 years ago by the Vatican to all the Bishops around the world instructing them to cover up sex abuse or risk ex-communication. Please note that it was signed by none other than Joseph Ratziinger, yes BXVI himself.
Really Long Link
Comment by Eve
mindless little girl
I am not religious.
I am not anti religious
But II really resent that my hard earned dosh went towards supporting dese bloody creatures!
I do love, however, observing human behavior.
A dear friend of mine and I sat on the fountain taking in - the moment. I couldn't help but over hear a small circle of boys, quietly discussing their own beliefs.
I provoked a small satanist boy into purchasing a bible.
A few moments later, he returned. He stood on the fountain tearing up the bible, burning it.
Pilgrims reaction - some horrorfied (If I and a few thousand of my friends went overseas and started preaching Satanic doctrine to the localz I dont think I would be shocked if somebody tried to show any form of opposition!), some taking photos, some dancing around it
I re affirm - I am not a satanist. I am a religious outsider! Nor do I chose to involve myself in "atheism", as atheists can be just as dogmatic!
Actually - I think most sydney residents were terribly inconvenienced and put out by pilgrims.
Human behavior forces people to opose
The Eleven Sydney Rules of the Earth (post pilgrim plague)
1. Do not give opinions or advice unless you are asked
2. Do not tell your troubles to others unless you are sure they want to hear them
3. When in another's lair, show him respect or else do not go there
4. If a guest in your lair annoys you, treat him cruelly and without mercy
5. Do not make sexual advances unless you are given the mating signal
6. Do not steal (paraphrased)
8. Do not complain about anything to which you need not subject yourself
9. Do not harm little children
10. Do not kill non-human animals unless you are attacked or for your food
11. When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not stop, destroy him
Comment by Eve
mindless little girl
Lol @ pilgrims
Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions