Radio Australia Today Editorial

World Youth Day. The Olympics of Religion.

15 July 2008

You don’t have to be Catholic to know that Sydney has been filled with the fervour of youth for World Youth Day (WYD). So feverish is the excitement that the day goes for a week!

Catholic youth from all over the world, and even the not-so-youthful, like Pope Benedict XVI is in Sydney for the day/week.

Last night the countdown clock in Sydney ticked over from “One Day To Go” to “G’Day Mate”, and the crowd went wild.

The last time I remember Sydney being feverish about anything was the Sydney Olympics in 2000. That was a time when people spoke to each other on the streets, there was a glint in the eye of anybody you met, and all the news bulletins were led by the celebrations.

The down sides are the same as for the Olympics: road closures, twee merchandise everywhere, and news bulletins lead with the celebrations.

No-one’s life is going to be saved by the WYD. No homesless person is going to get a home, no aborigine is going live a longer life. But hey, its the goodwill that matters. This week many people in Sydney will have that extra spring in their step. And that is a tangible. If we can all live a life with a bit of zing, then we are living a better life.

That’s what WYD (and the Olympics for that matter) is all about.

I’ll be in Sydney as the WYD cewlebrations climax on the weekend. I hope I’ll be able to get a seat on the train. Doubt it though.
– Phil