Letters

World Youth day (letter)

M. & L. MORRISSEY

Contents - Sep 2008 - Buy a copy now Editorial: World Youth Day 2008: the challenge ahead - Michael Gilchrist WYD08: World Youth Day 2008: what the media missed - Deborah Baker WYD08: Impressions of youth - Bridget Pati and Berni Sullivan WYD08: Faith: alive and well! - A pilgrim's progress - Catherine Sheehan WYD08: A reflection on WYD - Tim Cannon WYD08: Memories of homestay hosts - Emidio and Phyllis Restall News: The Church Around the World WYD08: Theology on Tap: young Catholics' response to relativism - Patrick Langrell The physical and mental scars of abortion - Charles Francis Foundations of Faith: Priesthood and the sacraments: Divine help for eternal salvation - Br Barry Coldrey Liturgy: No smoke without fire: Benedict XVI and true liturgical reform - David Birch Vatican: Restoration work completed near tomb of St Peter Letters: World Youth day (letter) - M. & L. MORRISSEY Letters: Courage of young Jozef Ratzinger (letter) - Frank Bellet Letters: Invaluable work of Anne Lastman (letter) - Errol Duke Letters: Moral equivalence (letter) - Leo McManus Letters: Abortion grief - Anne Lastman Letters: Buddha in church (letter) - E. Makaus Letters: Sex abuse apology (letter) - M.J. Gonzalez Letters: Vatican II (letter) - Frank Mobbs Poetry: The Sermon at Templestowe - Bruce Dawe Books: Saving Those Damned Catholics, by Judie Brown - Catherine Sheehan (reviewer) Books: THE WISDOM OF NAZARETH: Stories of Catholic Family Life - Siobhan Reeves (reviewer) Books: SAINT BENEDICT'S RULE: A New Translation for today, by Patrick Barry OSB - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: FAITH AND FIDELITY, by Anthony Meredith SJ - Michael Daniel Books: Books available from AD2000 Books Reflection: Archbishop Burke of St Louis: the responsibilities of a bishop - Archbishop Raymond Burke

Some sections of the secular press branded World Youth Day in Sydney as merely a Catholic jamboree for the young visiting pilgrims, and tried to blame the Church for the failings of its clergy. Such reporting showed an ignorance of young Catholics and their faith, or was due to an unwillingness to report fairly.

The press also reported that the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims celebrated Mass with the Pope instead of the other way around. They were wrong on all counts.

We had the pleasure to meet with pilgrims from Italy, Germany, and Poland and to house visitors - one a priest - from Tanzania. They were strong in their faith and here for but one purpose, namely to share it with others. We could find no fault in them.

Every venue the pilgrims attended was worthy of praise and their commitment was enthusiastic and most sincere. Language was no barrier for they were all aware of the purpose of their visit. It was a gathering of the universal Catholic Church and a source of pride for us all.

The visit by Pope Benedict XVI was a highlight for the pilgrims and his words of encouragement were received with great joy. Nor did they leave empty-handed.

WYD was a fine display of our Catholic faith and a true example of the way of life of our young people in action. They were indeed a credit to all of us.

WYD was a very happy occasion for Australia and we should be full of praise for the example and behaviour of the young pilgrims. We will see untold good fruits for the future of the Church in the end - thanks be to God.

M. & L. MORRISSEY
Sandringham, Vic

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 21 No 8 (September 2008), p. 14