World Youth Day a waste of money
A CATHOLIC priest has spoken out against the large amount of money being spent on World Youth Day, calling it an embarrassment and a scandal for the church.
Father Peter Confeggi has told Fairfax newspapers the money could be better spend on struggling parishes like his in Mount Druitt, which is one of the most disadvantaged in Sydney.
He says some of the money could also be directed to helping the 120,000 homeless people in Australia.
Father Confeggi says there's also large dissatisfaction with the kind of spirituality that will be taught during the event, with fears that it will be a right wing brand of Catholicism.
It's estimated that about $130 million is going to the five-day event in Sydney, which begins on July 15.
The New South Wales Government is putting in $86 million and the Federal Government $20 million, with the rest coming from church coffers.
In other news Judas Iscariot said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" I am not trying to infer that Father Confeggi here is a thief, but this is such an old argument. I think the World Youth Days in general have been a smashing success and have brought people closer to the faith and has helped people to see their vocations. Quite a few priests and religious point at attending one of the WYD as a important part in their discernment of a vocations.
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Maybe the good Padre could consider it "investing" in the youth; who's gonna donate money in the future to fund his parish and all these other things if we're not nurturing and making future Catholics?
When it comes right down to it, Father Confeggi appears to be missing his opportunity to send a contingent of his parishioners to the event and use them to inform the young people of the plight of the homeless and disadvantaged right there in Australia. The young people who are attending will be primed and ready to help others.
I must admit that this part sent a red flag up for me: "Father Confeggi says there's also large dissatisfaction with the kind of spirituality that will be taught during the event, with fears that it will be a right wing brand of Catholicism." I have no idea what that means, do you? The only time I've been labeled "right-wing" has been when I voice opposition to sex before marriage or to abortion.
While I don't think the good Father and I agree on why this WYD is a waste of money, given some of the clownery planned for this event, I'd be inclined to agree.
I have been to 3 world youth days and they were wonderful.
I attended WYD in Denver with JPII when I was in high school.
Count me in as one of the priests/religious who count WYD "as an important part in their discernment of a vocation"
And I'd bet WYD will do plenty to help the economy there...
"...fears that it will be a right wing brand of Catholicism."
Miss Jean, this means that the good Father is scared to death of the JPII/BXVI generation of Catholics who have refused to bow to the secular gods of Pelvic Politics. What he knows is that there is no future for the experimental catholicism that he and his generation rammed down the throats of millions of Catholics. More vocations to the priesthood means less need for "lay ministries." Young conservative Catholics in the pews means more attention paid to the magisterium. More interest in traditional Catholic devotions means less attention to lefty "social justice" agendas. Events like WYD scare the beejeebees out of "Spirit of Vatican Two" catholics b/c they signal an end to the elitist professionalized academic wasteland that the Church has become in the western world. I only wish that fuel prices were lower so more kids could attend!
Fr. Philip, OP
I agree with Fr. Philip. "Right wing" Catholicism is another way of saying Catholicism faithful to the Magisterium and the teachings of the Catholic Church, as well as Tradition (big "T").
Jeff,
I was thinking of Judas and that perfumed oil, too. :)
My boyfriend came back to the Church because of World Youth Day! He was a typical, somewhat apathetic university student and then WYD in Toronto happened and opened his eyes. It was six years ago and he's still a passionate Catholic. I thank God for World Youth Day!
Thank you for the explanations, Father and Amy.
"By PNP, OP on July 5, 2008 9:21 PM"
Close the comment thread, Fr. Phillip has said all that can be said.
At least in comboxes, he does all things well.
Seems to be some fear in the land down under that the JPII and Benedict XVI brand of Catholicism might take hold and root out many of the abuses that have been going on for years and years, Rome might move slowly, but did they really think their antics were unknown? WYD gives me reason to for hope for authentic Catholicism to take its rightful place.
In all fairness, perhaps this priest is one who is just totally exhausted from all the problems; but on the other hand, what is there to fear from the authentic Catholic Church unless you do have a different agenda you'd rather push?
Would that be the poor, starving, and disadvantaged who sport multiple tattoos and piercings, the latest Swiss-Army-gadgety cell 'phones, Dooney & Bourke purses, expensive sneakers, and an excess of body fat?
Regardless of WYD's merits (And I've always wondered what the long term effect was of attending WYD), I feel sorry for those many young people who can't go and really want to.
At least they can participate in prayer. And via
www.fscc-calledtobe.org/living/ with a truly global WYD hymn
There is some interesting information about Fr. Confeggi on this blog: http://johnheard.blogspot.com/
I'm not against the idea of World Youth Day, but I think it's a long/expensive way to go to discern a vocation and I don't think you'll be seeing too many kids from blue collar families there...aren't they part of the John Paul II generation too? Somehow I think this more of a party opportunity cloaked in religious clothing. I didn't say this is the reason EVERYONE might give, but I'm not naive enough to believe that communing with your fellow Catholic young people in the name of Jesus is the only reason a lot of folks are going to World Youth Day.
Despite what everyone has to say about the criticisms of the priest in question, he does make a valid point...you don't have to be a "lefty" to agree. You may want to smear the messenger because you don't agree, but I would hope in Christian charity that you might think a little about what the man had to say.
I'm not against the idea of World Youth Day, but I think it's a long/expensive way to go to discern a vocation and I don't think you'll be seeing too many kids from blue collar families there...aren't they part of the John Paul II generation too? Somehow I think this is more of a party opportunity cloaked in religious clothing. I didn't say this is the reason EVERYONE might give, but I'm not naive enough to believe that communing with your fellow Catholic young people in the name of Jesus is the only reason a lot of folks are going to World Youth Day.
Despite what everyone has to say about the criticisms of the priest in question, he does make a valid point...you don't have to be a "lefty" to agree. You may want to smear the messenger because you don't agree, but I would hope in Christian charity that you might think a little about what the man had to say.
I think WYD is a waste for the most part but this priest sounds like he has his own agenda so his opinions are highly suspect.
i personally feel it's hard to compare using money across such different ministries... i might agree with the priest if i were in his position too, tho on the other hand, i've heard that WYD is an event worth much more than the money you pay.
granted, it's not exactly working-class-catered, but there is some "price discrimination" for the poorer countries, if i remembered correctly. in Singapore, each participant is expected to fork out $1,500, while the publicity video did mention that participants from third world countries only pay $500. on top of this, most parishes also have special funds set up to accomodate those who cannot afford these costs but would dearly love to experience. i'd much rather today's youth spend their $1,500 on a religious pilgrimage than on some other materialist symbols! indeed, $130m doesn't sound too excessive for an international bazaar of this scale (afaik). definitely cheaper than most world leaders' "conferences".
one other view would be to consider this as a straight-up religious pilgrimage. while i concede that it is catered for the youths, who may have far less resources or readiness, i would much prefer the idea of a back-to-basics pilgrimage - something like the one depicted in Le Grande Voyage (a Muslim father-son pair driving from France to Mecca for their Hajj). for us Christians, it doesn't have to be any one location (altho Jerusalem seems popular), but an earnest journey on foot to any particular church would very much suffice - especially if done with the right spirit! such simple pilgrimages are definitely on the cards for ANYONE.
lastly, i'd say some of the comments were very much less than Christian... so a priest sees things differently and has publicised his criticisms from his POV. does that mean any one of us sitting in our armchairs get the right to throw one back at him? Mt 7:1 & Jn 8:7 come to mind. all of us posting here are also publicising our stands - let us not fall into the trap of the evil one.