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In the week preceding the main event, many young Catholic pilgrims spent time in different parts of Australia and New Zealand, staying with a local parish as part of the ''Days in the Dioceses''. After their stay, they travelled to Sydney for the Opening [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]] of the week-long main event.
In the week preceding the main event, many young Catholic pilgrims spent time in different parts of Australia and New Zealand, staying with a local parish as part of the ''Days in the Dioceses''. After their stay, they travelled to Sydney for the Opening [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]] of the week-long main event.

The Pope came to Australia on Sunday 13 July. Until Wednesday 17 July he lived in the [[Opus Dei]] centre, called [[Kenthurst Study Centre]], 30 km from Sydney<ref>http://www.opusdei.pl/art.php?p=28875</ref>. He came earlier to have a good rest after the long journey.


On Tuesday 15 July, World Youth Day 2008 began with the Opening Mass, celebrated by [[George Pell|George Cardinal Pell]], the Archbishop of Sydney, at East Darling Harbour. This was followed by a concert.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.wyd2008.org/index.php/en/wyd08_events |title = WYD08 Events |accessdate = 2008-07-18}}</ref>
On Tuesday 15 July, World Youth Day 2008 began with the Opening Mass, celebrated by [[George Pell|George Cardinal Pell]], the Archbishop of Sydney, at East Darling Harbour. This was followed by a concert.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.wyd2008.org/index.php/en/wyd08_events |title = WYD08 Events |accessdate = 2008-07-18}}</ref>

Revision as of 07:36, 25 July 2008

XXIII World Youth Day 2008
Date15–20 July 2008
LocationSydney, Australia
Theme"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses" (Acts 1:8)

World Youth Day 2008 was a Catholic youth festival held from 15 to 20 July in Sydney, Australia. It is the twenty-third World Youth Day celebration and was attended by Pope Benedict XVI. The occasion marked the fourth Papal visit to the country, as well as Benedict XVI's first visit.[1]

Schedule of events

The festivals of WYD began on 1 July 2007, when a large 3.8-metre-high wooden Cross and a large 15-kilogram Icon of the Virgin Mary arrived in Sydney to travel around the country. [citation needed] The relay-style event, known as the Journey of the Cross and Icon (or JCI for short) saw the cross and icon go on a pilgrimage around the dioceses of Australia, engaging with a variety of Catholic parishes and communities.

The WYD Cross was entrusted to the youth of the world by Pope John Paul II in 1984 as a sign of peace and hope. The Pope told the young people of the world to take it around the world as "a symbol of Christ's love for humanity". In 2004, Pope John Paul II commissioned the large icon of the Virgin Mary to accompany the Cross's pilgrimage. It is a symbol intended to represent Mary's maternal love for young people. From the announcement of the host World Youth Day, the Cross and Icon travel ceremonially around the world similar to the Olympic Torch Relay.

In the week preceding the main event, many young Catholic pilgrims spent time in different parts of Australia and New Zealand, staying with a local parish as part of the Days in the Dioceses. After their stay, they travelled to Sydney for the Opening Mass of the week-long main event.

The Pope came to Australia on Sunday 13 July. Until Wednesday 17 July he lived in the Opus Dei centre, called Kenthurst Study Centre, 30 km from Sydney[2]. He came earlier to have a good rest after the long journey.

On Tuesday 15 July, World Youth Day 2008 began with the Opening Mass, celebrated by George Cardinal Pell, the Archbishop of Sydney, at East Darling Harbour. This was followed by a concert.[3]

Each morning from Tuesday 15 to Thursday 17 July, Catechesis was held in approximately 300 locations. Pilgrims received teachings from a Bishop and also celebrated Mass. In the afternoons, pilgrims journeyed into the city and attend the Youth Festival consisting of a series of art exhibitions, concerts, seminars, and conferences.

Pope Benedict XVI arriving at Barangaroo, Sydney

On Thursday 17 July, Sydney 500,000[4] attendees from around the world were present at Barangaroo to welcome Pope Benedict XVI on a day dubbed Super Thursday by the press.[5] The Pope actually arrived on Monday 14 July, but only appeared in public for the first time on the 17th. The event involved the Pope travelling around Port Jackson in a "boatacade" where pilgrims lined the shores to see him. The Pope then spoke extensively to the pilgrims and greeted them in five foreign languages. In order to let the pilgrims see him better the pope was driven around Barangaroo in his Popemobile.[6] [7]

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On Friday 18 July, there was a live re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross at major city landmarks with an estimated number of 270,000 participants. Around 500 Million people around the world followed the stations on television.[8]

On Saturday 19 July, around 235,000 pilgrims embarked on a 10-kilometre pilgrimage walk, beginning at the Mary MacKillop Chapel in North Sydney, over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and across the city to attend an overnight Vigil before the Mass at Randwick Racecourse.[9]

Approximately 250,000 pilgrims slept overnight at Randwick, and about 300,000 to 400,000 participants attended the Final Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday 20 July.[10] Pope Benedict will continue a tradition of Australian papal Masses at Randwick Racecourse, following in the footsteps of Popes John Paul II and Paul VI. At the conclusion of the final mass Pope Benedict XVI announced that the 2011 World Youth Day will be held in Madrid, Spain.[11]

Web 2.0

WYD 2008 was the first World Youth Day to take full advantage of telecommunications, with Pope Benedict sending daily text messages to the pilgrims and the launch of a new registration social networking site called xt3,[12][13] and will aim to connect young Catholics before, during and after World Youth Day 2008.[14]

Food

Pilgrims were served a traditional Australian menu. Over the six-day event, 3.5 million meals were served. To cater for the masses, 210,000 slices of bread, 425,000 chocolate bars, 200,000 meat pies and 300,000 servings of Weet-Bix Crunch were ordered. "We want to provide pilgrims with a good feed and a little bit of an Australian taste" WYD director of services Geoff Morris said. "We have tried to do that by including some of our more iconic items such as Tim Tams, Weet-Bix Crunch, Vegemite, lamingtons and good old baked beans" Mr Morris said. Organisers also held a "Big Aussie BBQ", which saw 200 barbecues lit up simultaneously across Sydney.[15]

Souvenirs

Pilgrims and the public were able to to buy 470 different products including papal mementos such as special WYD rosary beads, Pope Benedict XVI baseball caps and rugby jerseys. Catholic church leader Cardinal George Pell said the Church was not looking to make a profit and that there was "nothing immoral with a little commercialism". "Our way of life is built on commercialism, on trade, on industry, on finance and people have got a right to make a living out of doing a good thing, which is spreading Christ's message in a modern way," he said.[16] Any remaining merchandise will be given to Catholic charities and surplus clothing will be sent overseas to developing nations. [17]

Attendance

The Final Mass held at Randwick Racecourse (dubbed Southern Cross Precinct specifically for the event) drew 350,000[18] pilgrims.
File:P7190730.JPG
Lebanese wave their countries flag at the 2008 World Youth Day

World Youth Day organisers revised the expected number of attendees downwards during the lead-up to the event. In October 2007 the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, George Pell, claimed that "over half a million" people would attend the final mass at Randwick. The World Youth Day site later claimed likely attendance of "up to" half a million. Similarly, the projected number of overseas attendees was 150,000 people in 2006. This was later altered to a projection of "over 125,000" people from overseas. 65,000 visas were granted as of 12 days before the start of the event.[19][20][21][22][23]

It has been claimed that initial estimates were justified with around 500,000 welcoming the pope to Sydney and 270,000 watching the Stations of the Cross. More than 300,000 pilgrims camped out overnight in preparation for the Final Mass. [24] The final attendance reported by Reuters was up to 300,000, however World Youth Day's Chief Operating Officer Danny Casey and the ABC reported over 400,000 attendees. [25] [26] [27]

Indulgence

The Pope has announced that pilgrims at World Youth Day 2008 and those from around the world who pray for the ‘spiritual goals of this meeting and for its happy outcome' will be able to receive indulgences. In Roman Catholic teaching an indulgence is believed to erase the temporal punishment (time spent in purgatory) which results from sin.

There are two types of indulgences available

  • plenary (full) indulgence - for attendees
  • partial indulgence - for those who pray[28]

Controversies around the World Youth Day

Public funding

Some are concerned regarding the NSW state governments public funding of $129 million and the Federal government's funding of $55 million. [29] Some described it as a "promotional event" for the Catholic Church. [30]

However the Sydney Chamber of Commerce estimated that World Youth Day would generate $230 million of economic activity and the NSW State Government had claimed that World Youth Day would have a direct economic benefit over $150 million. In addition to direct benefits the State Government had stated that the coverage of World Youth Day overseas was worth at least $1 billion. [31] These gains would offset and exceed the government's expenditure on World Youth Day.

Use of Randwick Racecourse

The use of the Randwick Racecourse for the event had been criticised and legally challenged by the racing industry in Sydney. Industry representatives argued that alternative sites, such as the former Olympic facilities at Homebush Bay, were more suitable venues for World Youth Day. However, the NSW and Federal governments and the event organisers insisted that Randwick Racecourse was the only location suitable for an event of such scale.

The World Youth Day committee initially offered to pay an agreed settlement to the racing industry. However, after some complaints, the Federal government and the State government stepped in and jointly pledged $40 million in compensation to the racing industry — more than triple the previously agreed upon amount. In exchange, the industry relocated its operations to the Warwick Farm and Rosehill Gardens racecourses, with infrastructure at these sites and at Randwick to be upgraded as part of the compensation package. In addition, the Australian Jockey Club's lease at Randwick will be extended by 50 years.[32][33]

Despite some earlier concerns the final mass left the turf in good condition. The Randwick Project Steering Committee chief Hugh Martin stated that he was "very pleased with the state of the track." and an Australian Jockey Club spokesman noted that the "track seems to have held up well." [34]

World Youth Day legislation

The Parliament of New South Wales passed the World Youth Day Act 2006 especially for the event. The regulations made under this act however have been the source of some controversy, mainly in the operation of various provisions of the World Youth Day Regulation 2008 within hundreds of so-called declared areas across Sydney. [35] These areas include over 40 city locations, including popular tourist spots the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, as well as at numerous public transport stations and schools.

The most significant and contentious amendments to the regulations were announced by the Deputy Premier John Watkins on 25 June 2008 and came into effect on 1 July 2008. People entering or exiting declared areas are subject to being searched, including vehicles or baggage, if so requested. [36] According to The Australian newspaper this may include either general clothing inspections, partial strip searches, or even arrest.[37][38][39] The regulations are being enforced by police, with the Rural Fire Service and the State Emergency Service having enforcement power over some provisions. The authorisation of Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service has been especially controversial, as such granted enforcement powers normally available only to police.[40] The new powers have caused concern to those organisations,[41] who do not consider enforcement to be their role.[42]

Of the most contentious of the regulations, a maximum fine of A$5,500 was able to be imposed for causing 'annoyance or inconvenience' to WYD participants. This was challenged in the Federal Court of Australia on the grounds of violating the implied constitutional freedom of political communication and/or exceeding the regulation making power of the World Youth Day Act 2006 (NSW). The Full Court agreed with the latter argument, declaring Clause 7(1)(b) regarding the specific prohibtion of causing "annoyance or inconvenience to participants in a World Youth Day event" invalid.[43]

Protests within Australia

A number of activist groups protested against the Catholic Church on World Youth Day. Various atheist and secular cooperated to form the NoToPope Coalition for WYD. The coalition rallied against the Churches stances on homosexual marriage, abortion, and contraception. Additionally groups representing some victims of sexual abuse protested prior to WYD. On Saturday, the day of the pilgrimage walk approximately 300 protestors positioned themselves on a street corner to chant slogans and wave banners at the over 200,000 pilgrims walking to Randwick. A strong police presence separated them from the pilgrims who vastly outnumbered the protestors.[44]

Protest organisers had planned to use T-Shirts with anti-catholic slogans such as "Religion harms us by privileging faith over reason.", "Badly needed community services were robbed to pay the Pope".[45][46] and "107 Catholic clergy convicted".[47]

There were few physical confrontations between the pilgrims and protestors. NSW police arrested an Australian for allegedly lunging at a protestor however he was released soon afterwards. Additionally a Sydney small business owner alleges that he received an anonymous threat against him and his family for producing "annoying" T-Shirts.[48]

Australian responses to transport concerns

Public transport was another area of concern for many Sydney-based residents, with many claiming that the city's infrastructure was ill-equipped to cope with the thousands of pilgrims that descended upon the harbour-side city for the festivities. Many residents felt that road closures in Sydney's CBD, including to parts of George Street, exacerbated the strain for commuters. Additional train and bus services had been commissioned for the event, however critics argued that peak-hour services would have been at capacity, particularly because the event was not a Public Holiday in New South Wales. Threats to strike on Thursday July 17, in the heart of the celebrations, made by disgruntled rail workers were withdrawn following negotiations with the State Government.[49]

Following World Youth Day NSW premier Morris Iemma gave the transport systems performance a 10-out-of-10 rating. He stated that special events such as WYD proved that decent public transport was possible and was considering implementing some of the strategies used for the event on an ongoing basis. [50] [51] Former Roads and Traffic Authority director Ken Robinson said that the public transport system ran smoothly during World Youth Day due to better coordination between different transport authorities, whilst NSW transport minister John Watkins noted that public transport for the week worked "tremondously well." [52]

Apology, Meeting with Victims and Criticisms

In Sydney's St. Mary's Cathedral, Pope Benedict XVI made a historic full apology for child sex abuse by priests and clergymen in Australia, on July 19, 2008. Before a 3,400 congregation, he called for compensation and demanded punishment for those guilty of the "evil": "Here I would like to pause to acknowledge the shame which we have all felt as a result of the sexual abuse of minors by some clergy and religious in this country. I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the victims have endured and I assure them that, as their pastor, I too share in their suffering." The Pope added: "Victims should receive compassion and care, and those responsible for these evils must be brought to justice. These misdeeds, which constitute so grave a betrayal of trust, deserve unequivocal condemnation. I ask all of you to support and assist your bishops, and to work together with them in combating this evil. It is an urgent priority to promote a safer and more wholesome environment, especially for young people." On the 21st of July before flying out of Australia Pope Benedict met with a group of four victims of sexual abuse. He met them at St. Mary's Cathedral in Sydney, listened to their stories and celebrated mass with them.[53]

But the Broken Rites support group representing Australian victims said: "Sorry may be a start but we want to see a lot more. We want the victims to be treated fairly, we don't want them to feel that they have been shut out, we don't want them to be re-abused by church authorities." It reported 107 Catholic priests and religious brothers sentenced in Australian courts on sex charges, and in 2002, Australian bishops had already apologised for past abuses.[54][55]

The Pope met 2 male and 2 female victims of sex abuse by priests at St. Mary's Cathedral. Broken Rites criticized the meeting as hand-picked: "I'm afraid that what they've done is selected victims who have agreed with what the church's policies are. The pope should have met with Anthony Foster, the father of two girls abused by a priest, who cut short a holiday in Britain to return to Australia in the hope of meeting the pontiff. [56][57][58]

But the New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma hoped "it will be a sign of righting the wrongs of the past and of a better future and better treatment by the church of the victims and their families."[59]

Departure

The Pontiff closed the 6-day celebrations with a huge open air mass before 400,000 pilgrims on Sunday. Before boarding a chartered Qantas Boeing 747-400 at Sydney airport's Hangar 96, he thanked Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Governor General Major General Michael Jeffery, newly appointed Ambassador to the Vatican Tim Fischer, and Cardinal George Pell.[60] The Pontiff, on July 21, 2008, left Australia after the farewell message of thanks by Rudd: "Today I announce that for the first time Australia will have a resident Ambassador to the Holy See in Rome. And today I announce that the Government will be recommending to his Excellency the Governor General the appointment of the former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia the Honourable Tim Fischer as Australia’s first resident Ambassador to the Holy See."[61]

References

  1. ^ Sydney wins Youth Day '08
  2. ^ http://www.opusdei.pl/art.php?p=28875
  3. ^ "WYD08 Events". Retrieved 2008-07-18.
  4. ^ cf. Pope's busy meeting schedule continues: After 500,000 people turned out to welcome him to Sydney yesterday
  5. ^ "Pope arrives to kick off Super Thursday". The West Australian. 2008-07-17. Retrieved 2008-07-18. {{cite news}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ WYD08 :: Home :: Media :: Latest News :: Vatican officials confirm Pope Benedict will visit Mary MacKillop shrine
  7. ^ http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2008/july/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20080717_barangaroo_en.html
  8. ^ cf. Pope's busy meeting schedule continues
  9. ^ 235,000 Attend World Youth Day Vigil, Zenit.org from 19. July 2008.
  10. ^ 400,000 expected for Sydney papal mass Sydney Morning Herald
  11. ^ Spanish hail Madrid choice for next World Youth Day
  12. ^ http://www.xt3.com/ xt3
  13. ^ World Youth Day 2008 Embracing Telecommunications - WYD/ Telstra Press Release
  14. ^ Cardinal Pell launches 'Catholic Facebook'. NEWS.com.au. Retrieved on 12 Dec 2008.
  15. ^ 200,000 meat pies for WYD. NEWS.com.au. Retrieved on 8 June 2008.
  16. ^ Blessing to buy papal souvenirs . NEWS.com.au. Retrieved on 5 July 2008.
  17. ^ Lam, M. 2008. Merchandise Being Bought Religously. The Daily Telgraph, July 20, 2008, page 11.
  18. ^ CNN Reports on WYD08
  19. ^ George Pell at the National Press Club
  20. ^ about WYD08
  21. ^ Interview with Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney, Australia - National Catholic Reporter
  22. ^ WYD visa numbers below expectations - ABC News
  23. ^ world youth day 2008 confirms international pilgrim numbers
  24. ^ Randwick's turf survives WYD
  25. ^ http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSSYD22643320080720
  26. ^ http://www.catholic.org/wyd08/story.php?id=28655
  27. ^ World Youth Day a logistical success
  28. ^ http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=13147
  29. ^ Almighty cost of hosting pilgrims - Sydney Morning Herald
  30. ^ World Youth Day: costs up, benefits down - NSW Greens
  31. ^ WYD coverage worth $1b: Iemma
  32. ^ "Racing industry offered payout for Pope". The West Australian. 15 November 2007.
  33. ^ World Youth Day reaches agreement with racing industry
  34. ^ Randwick's turf survives WYD
  35. ^ World Youth Day Amendment Regulation 2008 (NSW Bar Association)
  36. ^ "WORLD YOUTH DAY REGULATION 2008 - REG 8 Request to undergo search as condition of entry to World Youth Day declared areas". Retrieved 2008-07-18.
  37. ^ Thou shalt not annoy or trespass Sydney Morning Herald
  38. ^ World Youth Day Amendment Bill 2007 - NSW State Parliament
  39. ^ Strip searches okayed for WYD - The Australian
  40. ^ Volunteers refuse WYD powers
  41. ^ Volunteers spurn Youth Day powers
  42. ^ Volunteers reject Youth Day powers
  43. ^ "Evans v State of New South Wales". Retrieved 2008-07-18.
  44. ^ Danks, K. 2008. Papal Protest Silenced. The Daily Telgraph, July 20, 2008, page 9.
  45. ^ World Youth Day condom protest against Pope - Sydney Morning herald
  46. ^ World Catholic Youth Day Action - Sydney Atheists
  47. ^ "Child abuse victims protest outside NSW - SBS World News Australia". Retrieved 2008-07-18.
  48. ^ "Faithful get annoyed over merchandise - WorldYouYouthDay - Specials - smh.com.au". Retrieved 2008-07-18.
  49. ^ Rail Strike Cancelled
  50. ^ Morris Iemma to investigate decent public transport always
  51. ^ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/22/2310308.htm?section=justin WYD coverage worth $1b: Iemma
  52. ^ NSW urged to learn from WYD transport success
  53. ^ The Australian
  54. ^ afp.google.com, Pope apologises for 'evil' of child sex abuse
  55. ^ uk.reuters.com, Pope sorry for Church sexual abuse
  56. ^ timesonline.co.uk, Pope meets sex abuse victims in secret Sydney masss
  57. ^ nytimes.com, Pope Meets Australian Abuse Victims
  58. ^ afp.google.com, Pope meets sex abuse victims as Australia trip ends
  59. ^ newsinfo.inquirer.net, Pope's Australia sex abuse apology not enough -- critics
  60. ^ tvnz.co.nz, Sydney farewells Pope Benedict
  61. ^ australia.to/index.php, Farewell to His Holiness Pope Benedict
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