WYD and DID08

According to experts, I should be writing this blog in Gotham font because that’s the style adopted by Barak Obama for billboards, leaflets and other US of A, presidential election handouts.

I’m not so much stunned as distracted by this claim. I don’t, myself, type much. I prefer to invest myself in hand writing.

I know it’s unfair, because others have to decipher my scribble and translate it into type. I try to make my handwriting as legible as possible. That’s the least I can do. But, I do believe people can conclude that you’ve taken the trouble, the risk of committing yourself, in your own hand, for people to judge that value of “what” you say by the way you say/write it.

If I was keyboard friendly, I’d belt out more stuff more often. That would be handy now that a national broadcaster has asked me to blog, a couple of times a week, on the topic of roman catholic World Youth Day, held in Sydney in July, ’08.

I said no, then yes, based solely on the practical problem of creating time for such a worthy task.

I like to do “catholic” things. I’m sad that my priest (including “high priest”) colleagues don’t get me to do more purely “catholic” things. I’ve grown old now in roman catholicism. I haven’t caused the institution that much trouble.

I don’t want recognition or applause just more work within Catholicism. I wouldn’t intentionally frighten the members of the institution, just infotain them about the marvels of justice and peace generated within secular society.

Everyone needs to know what catholics have now, officially since the 1960’s, come to embrace the secular and to acknowledge its value, its autonomy, and even, if I may add what seems paradoxical, its sacredness or holiness.

Sorry, that’s a mouthful, but it’s an explanation of what I’m on about, why I pop up on the TV and Radio and, occasionally, in the newspapers.

I don’t do any of these things for self promotion except as a representative, self appointed up to the date of writing this blog, of “gonzo” Catholicism.

One of my colleagues diagnoses my penchant for publicity as “narcissism”. You may have to Google that.

I don’t believe that to be true. I don’t personally enjoy public appearances. I do like others, however, to enjoy those appearances. Awareness raising is part of a catholic priest’s work, among catholic worshippers or secondary school students at catholic colleges or spirituality at the pub gatherings.

I admit I’m nervous about the much publicised extravaganza, World Youth Day, to be held in Sydney in July. (See just mention WYD in this blog publicises it and should get me brownie points! Let’s wait and see. Don’t hold breath).

In my own town, Melbourne, there’s a local lead up, Days in the Diocese, launching on Anzac Day! In true catholic, otherworldly fashion, it involves a Cross and Icon (of Mary).

My nervousness concerns whether the organisers, under orders, in revisionist catholic style, of clerical authority, will try to meld Anzac Day, Cross and Icon to provide a palatable incentive for all Melbournians to participate or ignore the sacredness of secular Anzac Day in pursuit of an “in house” devotional catholic jolt.

Admirable as that may be, when an opportunity would be lost of adding here and nowness to an iconic Anzac Day.

The AFL will do it through C’Wood Vs Essendon at the MCG.

The Catholics could do it by linking the many crosses of Fromelles and Gallipoli with WYD cross and the countless devastated mothers of killed, wounded physically and emotionally victims of war, with Mary’s icon.

I respectfully suggest that a public display of devotional Catholicism needs to be balanced, indeed strengthened, with a public declaration of catholicism’s dedication to the cause of commonwealth and common good.

There’s a saying in the social networking community that if you wan’t your blog readership to “spike”, you need to bring someone or some cause down.

Not so for this, my blog. For what it’s worth I endorse WYD and DID08, but reserve the right to popularise /secularise it!

RJM

Comments

[terence boylen]

Dear Bob,

Just so you know, Barack happens to use a lot of Century Gothic in his more recent advertising. It is a very clean font and not what one would traditionally associate with 'Gothic.' Just this humble typesetters 2c. Keep up the good work.

[Lindsey]

Then ofcourse Melbourne is hosting the 2008 Homeless World Cup soccer match in December. You'll have to ask Henri to put a local team together.

[RANDRIANALISOA]

Greeting from madagascar!

Call for financial help for youngs to attend WYD 2008.

I am a responsible of youngs in madagascar and a leader of group to attend the WYD 2008 in Sydney. There are the youngs who want and wish to attend the WYD 08. Unfortunately, we are not enough money to buy the flight tickets from and to Sydney.

So we apply for financial aid for the youngs so that they can go to Sydney to excahnge with the youngs from over the world to pray with Pope benoit 16.
Thank you
Randrianaliosa

[Terence Boylen]

Well Bob,

I've been having a think about it and decided that I might frequent your blog. Just so as you know, I am not well liked in Catholic circles in WA.

In fact, while the Catholic Youth Ministry here used to have a moderately active forum, I seem to have single handedly caused it to be locked down. Turns out they didn't like criticism on their own forum.

I have been deemed on occasion an argumentative malcontent. I think that puts me in league with Socrates.

I actually sent a couple of email to Safran when you were knocking about with him (are you still?), though I expect he thought I was a nutter.

By way of introduction my name is Terence Boylen and I used to work for the church - though never, ever again. I run the youth choir in my parish with my wife.

I don't have a lot of time for BS and I use a considerable amount of moderately bad language. If you don't want me posting regularly on your page then let me know.

As for the blending of Anzac day and WYD. I tend to agree with you.

Nonetheless, the demon on my shoulder says why not? Aren't we as a society perpetually creating new cultural myths and identities. Perhaps Anzac day is simply a feeble social attempt to create some level of homogeneity in society?

I don't think these things need to be as sacred as they are (bring it on flamers) and cultural identity, especially in a multicultural society like Australia, should open for discourse and discussion. Youth and Catholics make up a significant portion of Australia and their spirituality is tempered with cultural myths and shared illusions such as the Anzacs.

What harm could it really do?

Finally, what may you happen to be doing at WYD? Are you taking a group, having your own tent? I wouldn't mind saying hello - I've been a long time fan.

Terence Boylen.

[Kimski]

Your podcast is missed. Just wanted to let you know.

[Paul Ghanem]

Hey Bob,

I am going to shamelessly use your blog to give what I am doing for WYD a great big plug - but I'll try and be clever and hide it words that you may find informative since I think along much the same lines as your good self. Your friend John Safran would call it an 'infomercial'.

Not everything being organised for WYD is being done by the Sydney archdiocese. When I was asked to coordinate the Franciscan Friars (ofm) input for WYD I decided to invite Jewish, Muslim and Christian folk as well. I had just spent a year working in the Holy Land where I had noticed that the Christian churches in Israel get along better than what we do in Australia - no bull!!!
(That was the information part)

At the Franciscan event 'Come To The Water' to be held at Bondi Beach on Wednesday July 16 from 2.30 to 8.30pm I have invited input from Jewish and other Christian Churches.
(That was the commercial part)

So, if you don't have anything else planed for that night and you don't mind freezing to death with an international, ecumenical and inter-religious mob of God-lovers then why don't come.
(That was the sucking up part)

pax et bonum. P.

[Ellie]

Love your shows, ta muchly. Long may you reign.
Can you please explain, how, when the head honcho (he who loves fancy French boxers. Aren't priests supposed to take the oath of poverty etc?) of the Catholic Church is ruler of the Vatican, why is this Church is known as Roman Church? Roman in not in the Vatican, is it?

[mc]

Re: Ellie's comments, Vatican City is a part of Rome. A bit like the City of Port Phillip is part of Melbourne. Though Port Phillip isn't it's own country...

The Pope's primary duty is to be the "Bishop of Rome". In the distant past, Rome was the capital of the Roman Empire (a major world power), and it's Bishop gained influence over many of the others in the western part of the Empire and adjacent areas.

Long after this part of the Empire collapsed, Rome remained the capital of Western Christianity, and retained significant cultural prestiege. At one point, some Germans took over Rome so they could call their empire the "Holy Roman Empire".

So the Roman Catholic Church is Rome based, and because of the nearly 2000 year assocation between the two, is likely to remain so.

[christian]

I would like to say that i really like your site www.fatherbob.com.au a lot
now.. back on topic hehe
I cant say that i agree with what you wrote... care to explain more?