Somewhere between 300,000 and 500,000 "pilgrims" have come to celebrate World Youth Day, a major publicity event for the Catholic Church. They're from all over the world- Brazil, America, Africa, Mexico, Spain, and right here, in sunny Australia.
The Pope has been in Sydney since Sunday, but his official welcoming is today. He's made a couple statements that couldn't possibly cause controversy. In regards to the future of the Catholic Church: "It's great." In response to the apology given by the Australian government, asked for by Aboriginal and Anglo Australians alike for years: "It's great."
I sit in the break room at my dead-end retail-hell job, reading about existential existence and troubled youth while the department store mainstay ladies take off their shoes, exposing their swollen feet, eyes glued to Dr. Phil. I can hear the "pilgrims" chanting outside while they, and others, wait in line for their turn to browse the brand new Apple store on George St. Maybe they'll buy an iPhone. Maybe not.
I went to Catholic school for 13 years, actively and passively participating in a lot of ceremonies, rituals, and sacraments. I've never seen anything like this. The "pilgrims" wear their country's flag, on their lapels, or around their necks, or sticking out of their backpacks. They seem proud and unaware, as is expected from Catholic tourists I suppose. They buy commemorative anything and take up too much space in the train tunnels and storefronts.
Why not hold these events at Homebush? It was designed for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. It offers large venues, accommodation, and is located where it won't cause disruption to the working class. Then again, if they hold these events in downtown Sydney, it would certainly help the publicity of the city.
The Pope is in town. So are the media clowns, PR specialists, and 300,000 to 500,000 rabid "pilgrims", hell-bent on consuming a materialized religion, poised for the accelerated culture of the 21st century.
