It does seem as if there's a higher level of antagonism on the part of the Australian public and the press toward WYD, or perhaps the Australian press is simply making it appear that way. I say this based on the large number of stories about Australians complaining about everything from the cost of the event, to road closures and traffic delays, to horse owners upset with the Randwick Racecourse site for the final Mass, to where food is being manufactured for the event, to the restrictions put into effect by Australian police, to the protests scheduled during the event. Recent stories about reactions to the police rules regarding "annoying behavior", have resulted in further antagonism toward the Church. For both sides of the latest controversy, the Sydney Morning Herald has commentary on its blog about the new police law. Father James Martin, writing for America, links to a piece by Jesuit Father Frank Brennan who says that the restrictions interfere with civil liberties and are contrary to the spirit of Catholic Social Teaching. Quoting from Pope John XXIII's encyclical letter Pacem In Terris...
This must be done in such a way that the exercise of their rights by certain citizens does not obstruct other citizens in the exercise of theirs; that the individual, standing upon his own rights, does not impede others in the performance of their duties; and that the rights of all be effectively safeguarded, and completely restored if they have been violated.
"No fair application of these principles would permit an extension of police powers simply to preclude protesters from causing annoyance to pilgrims attending World Youth Day," writes Father Brennan.
Kristina Keneally, the state government's ministerial spokeswoman for WYD has a well-reasoned response to the controversy here.
This National Nine news story, for example, suggests that T-shirt retailers Down Under are sponsoring a T-shirt design competition to come up with irreverent T-shirts for protestors to wear during WYD. The irreverent entries include slogans such as "$5,500, a small price to pay for annoying Catholics" and "I survived a Christian Brothers education".
-- Tim Drake
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