The pilgrims' progress

[blamebrampton]

Remember how I was whining about World Youth Day? It's here ... In good news, it's legal to be annoying again. This is a great relief to me as I seem to annoy without trying. I managed to make a man on the train sniff derisively at me the other day, in what I thought was an unfair fashion, since I was in fact defending the Pope.

My friend had mentioned that the Pope had been a member of the Hitler Youth. "Yes," I said. "That's true, but imagine if we'd lost the War, we'd be speaking in hushed tones of Biggles readers." The sniffer ruffled his paper at me to emphasise his point, which I think is unfair. While there are many legitimate criticisms of the Pope to make, this isn't really one. If he'd been enthusiastic about it, that would be a different story ...

So. Sydney is full of pilgrims. It has been fun playing spot the order, and I did have a respectful giggle at the traditionally dressed nuns wearing World Youth Day football scarves with their habits. But the city as a whole has responded to the influx in its traditional way: it's gone mad.

One of the main train stations for the event is Wynyard, and it is expected to be packed, so, rather than having more trains, or station staff on the platforms controlling crowds, they have removed all the seats so there is more room to be packed in.

Pilgrims come with backpacks, and I can't really complain since I usually have my laptop pack with me, too. But they are young people with backpacks and some have a disturbing lack of spatial awareness. Happily they are also self-policing and I have seen completely unconnected pilgrims taking charge of groups of unruly youngsters and making them behave in an orderly fashion. I heart bossy pilgrims.

At Central, the main train station where I change trains of a workday, the station guard came over the tannoy saying: "Please stand behind the yellow line. If you do not stand behind the yellow line, you might die, even if you're a Pilgrim. That would be bad, we'd prefer you stand behind the yellow line. And have a holy, holy day!"

The cheery last phrase did make most people laugh.

And I was able to send some young French pilgrims to the right train on Tuesday, too, which I feel good about since they were on the Liverpool train, and if they hadn't jumped off at Erko or St Peters, may never have been seen again.

There was a cycling pilgrim who zipped past us today (you shall know them by their orange backpacks) and J muttered, "There goes someone who really has faith." I had to agree.

In Grrrrr WYD news, I find myself liking the Pope a great deal more than his representatives in Sydney. The Pope arrived in Sydney saying that he wished to apologise to victims of sexual abuse, who had been preyed on by those who betrayed the trust of their flock. He then went to a spiritual retreat and spent time with a kitten that has been specially obtained for him, and some native Australian animals.

At the same time, the Foster family began talking in the media about their multi-year struggle to obtain the court-awarded compensation that was ordered to them after their two girls were sexually abused by a notorious priest at their school. At least Cardinal Pell had the good grace to say that he understands why the family is upset.

However, the chief organiser of WYD, Bishop Fisher, told a press conference that the family is dwelling crankily on old wounds. Given the Fosters' eldest daughter committed suicide a few months ago, this is something of an outrageous statement. Pell has not yet commented on Fisher's words. I understand that Fisher wants everyone to concentrate on his bright shiny event, but this is not the way to do it.

Tomorrow the whole circus moves up the road from my work. If you do not hear from me for a few days, it will be because I have been lost in the crowds and been carted off to see an exorcist when my cranky baby lion impersonations are misunderstood.

Comments

[meredyth-13.livejournal.com]

Cardinal Fang?!

Sorry, every time someone says Pell, I think Fang. Of course, I also want to see the big P dodge several million specially trained australian attack rabbits to lob the holy handgrenade.

Did they overturn the laws? I live in a cave, it does not get news.

btw... would you, as an author, find if offensive if a nice reader asked about the use of a word that they are unfamiliar with (ie., it differs in form from the word they would normally use in the same context?) Inquiring minds would like to know, for no specific particular reason at all... *whistles nonchalantly*

My brother and I had a very non PC conversation about your current 'event' - did you know that the two senior guys running it are Jewish? I may have heard this from undisclosed sources.

*hugs*

ps. I hope to fuck he apologises to the kitten afterwards. >.>

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Meredyth 13! NO BESTIALITY JOKES! You terrible woman. I like to think of the Pope as someone who, despite the fact that I agree with him on central beliefs, is someone who is attempting to be a man of good faith and kindness.

Having found him at times lacking in good faith for reasons of doctrinal ideology, I am clinging to the kindness. I like to think the kitty will be treated like a princess afterwards by the Opus Dei folk.

I like it if they're Jewish, it's up there with the Islamic school billeting pilgrims. I'm all for cross-religion activities.

And the courts said that the law was rubbish, because it was against current laws protecting rights, and far too open to abuse.

Ask away, be aware that my language is part late twentieth century, part Elizabethan, hence often crazy and misspelt. Too much Shakespeare, Nashe and Marlowe as a girl!

HUGS BACK!!

[meredyth-13.livejournal.com]

*hides*

I am a terrible woman. I used to have a childlike, abiding respect for the Pope (not necessarily Palpatine, but Pope's in general) as the highest symbol of a faith that should lead to goodness and kindness (speaking as an indoctrinated catholic child here) - but then I learnt history, and humanity, and decided that it was a lost cause.

I liked the irony of it, but also wondered if maybe it was a secret plot to carry on with a solid tradition of crucifixion of Christians - ooops, getting back to that very non PC conversation, and uses for the Harbour Bridge.

*hides again*

I can mock. I've been there, done the confessional, and survived convent life.

Yaye for the courts! OMG! Did I just say that?

I will ask the author in question in the appropriate place, and possibly under cover of anonymity. ;)

BTW, cross-religion activities.. that would be like a jihad, yeah? I hear they're awfully cross when they do that.

*dives into bunker and closes nuke proof door*

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Ooh, surviving convent life is tough! I had a brief experience with Catholic School when we were travelling and I was expelled for kicking a nun. She hit me first.

THAT WAS THE ROMANS! Let me just say that if next year's Mardi Gras is filled with floats of the bridge strung with crucifixes, I will blame you.

Jihads aren't necessarily cranky, you know!

[meredyth-13.livejournal.com]

Mock my ignorance... you may as well, cause it's pretty all encompassing. I should know stuffs, but in fact, stuffs simply don't stick. Old song lyrics... they stick. *sigh*

However, now that you mention the mardi gras... *rubs evol hands together*

I've done convents, religious retreats in Bowral, high CoE... my tshirt collection is exceptional. See that big castle on the shores of Rose Bay.. the one that looks remarkably like a german prison that was known for being hard to get out of? Yeah... did time in that one... the school in Rose Bay, not to german prison.

Goes off to eat steak and drink beer.

;)

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I know Kincoppal well, I used to cycle past it on the way to the national park most days. Oh that hill ...

I have plans to buy it when I am a billionaire. Perfect for penguin watching!

[meredyth-13.livejournal.com]

hehehe... I was one of those girls in blue. Eeek! If you ever decide to, wander in the front door, turn right, and head down the hall, and stick your head into the big double doors - the chapel is one of the most beautiful things in this country. Seriously. And great acoustics. I sang briefly in the Kincoppal singers while I was there.

I always wanted to inherit Wentworth House and the land it's on, and restore it properly, including the stables. I have had a relationship with that property since I was a little girl.

We'd almost be neighbours.

[deensey.livejournal.com]

Things I never thought I'd say 'fucking pilgrims'

I have now said it, as some PUSHED ME OUT OF THE WAY YESTERDAY TO GET ON A TRAIN.

Awesome.

Also, have you seen the JESUS WALK in nsydney? I'm afraid. I'm also afraid of tomorrow.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

WHAT? I hoped you shouted "BLESSED ARE THE FUCKING MEEK" after them.

That said, I am not looking forward to tomorrow. Are you training over? We could meet up at Central if you don't mind getting there after 9 (I think the pilgrims should be there before then). I have not seen the Jesus Walk, and I was thinking of popping into DJs tomorrow night, should I avoid rather than break my brain? Tell me more, Deense!

[deensey.livejournal.com]

No, I was too busy minding the gap. And shouting 'fucking pilgrims' at them. I wish I'd thought of yours.

The Jesus walk is straight down the centre of Miller and that boulevard with the oporto. It has jesus statues in outlandish robes. It's terrifying.

Oooh, not in the morning, but call me before you leave in the arvo and I'll hit up DJ with you?

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I will. And we should do the Jesus Walk before we get on the train. Goodness gracious me ...

[deensey.livejournal.com]

LOLOL. Alright it is!

[meredyth-13.livejournal.com]

I could have sworn it was Blessed are the Cheesemakers...

You should all come and hide in Melbourne before we close to gates to keep the pilgrims from returning!

♥

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Actually, most of them seem to be American, though I spotted some poor, tired Islanders in Broadway shopping centre today and was almost moved to buy them a tea they looked so over it all.

[snottygrrl.livejournal.com]

my friend tyellas is in your fair city currently on business (she's the one that introduced me to our mutually known alpaca keepers. she went to university with them). she's doing her best to stay out of the way of the pilgrims. my favourite quote of hers so far is I heard a Catholic chaperone telling her charge, "That lady won't give you directions, she's Protestant!" she also mentioned that 50-foot high images of His Papalness are being projected onto the main Harbour Bridge every night o.0

you should check out her posts on her musings on the matter over at her journal. [*nods*]

[*is squeeful with the bounty of blame posts*]

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Oh no! The poor thing! Being at the airport on the weekend or Monday would have been a special sort of hell!

I had to laugh at her sexier than the pope conversation. Last year one of my friends bounded up to me at a party and told me they had heard goss about me. I asked what. He told me that there was a rumour going about that I had been sleeping with another friend, one who I don;t particularly like and who is slimier than moss.

"EWWWWWWWWW!" I responded.

"None of us believed it," he assured me. "We want to know who started it because it is too crazy for words."

"He's slimy! And married! and has a small penis from what I hear! And I have J, who does not have a small penis! I'd sleep with everyone at this party before I would sleep with him."

"Would you sleep with Tony rather than him?" another friend asked, referencing an absent friend who is unfortunate looking.

"Yes, if I had to choose one, because he would be grateful and make me breakfast. I can't think of anyone I'm less likely to sleep with, except Pope Benedict."

"You'd sleep with him first," she assured me. "Think about it, he's old and he's German. A couple of flagellations, tell him he is a very bad Pope for having a girl in his room, he'll be satisfied and sound asleep and you could have the run of the Papal wardrobes."

"You are going straight to hell, but you do have a point," I replied.

I like the idea of being seen as an evil Protestant! I shall dig out my poster of Luther!

[absynthedrinker.livejournal.com]

I've actually met this Pope on a number of occasions when he was still Cardinal Ratzinger. I studied Italian in Rome and used to go to the German Mass he gave at the Vatican thrice weekly. He is as smart and as charming a man as you're likely to meet and I had a very favorable opinion of him. That being said, he is bit reactionary at times and always puts the interests of the Church (the institution)ahead of any possible pastoral concerns. I think the Fosters with their cleverly timed publicity campaign are not likely to find much relief.

The pilgrims,while probably well behaved still sound like a nightmare. Like being in Paris in the summer with all of those backpackers, with their guidebooks and hiking shoes. UGH!

This Pope already owns at least one cat I know for sure. Her name is Oremus (which as many of you know means "let us pray" in Latin. She is often seen scurrying around the halls of the Apostolic apartmnents and been seen being toted around by more than one exasperated Swiss Guard. Thank goodness for kitties.

Bishop Fisher sounds like a real piece of work. Too bad someone doesn't molest his ass with a nightstick. What an idiot!

Thanks for the update.

Peace,
Bubba

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Paris at least has a reasonable public transport system. Sydney's was designed by drunk people on a budget. Oh well, I will toss a handful of sweets into my handbag in the morning and toss them at groups of youths if I need to get by in a hurry. They all seem to be on a permanent sugar high.

It actually reminds me of Holi, I think all the colours are adding to that. Though it is lovely to see all the habits.

Ratzinger seems very smart, and also very genuine in his manner. But yes, I agree with your assessment of the Fosters' chances. I think that Fisher's arrogance is sadly typical of that of many senior Australian churchmen. There are two types, and from evidence it appears he is in the entitlement camp, which sneers at the social justice camp.

I'm as fond of a good embroidery and choral spectacular as the next person, but I do believe that charity not spectacle was the core message of Christ.

Hmmm, Italian, eh? I have four months to learn enough to survive on my own around curators. Any suggestions?

[sarcasticpixie.livejournal.com]

This Pope already owns at least one cat I know for sure. Her name is Oremus (which as many of you know means "let us pray" in Latin. She is often seen scurrying around the halls of the Apostolic apartmnents and been seen being toted around by more than one exasperated Swiss Guard. Thank goodness for kitties.

I am now imagining the Swiss Guards cleaning up hairballs.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

They could use the giant tassels on their shoes!

[absynthedrinker.livejournal.com]

The Papal Feline's Official LitterBox Custodian deserves mentioning as well.

[norton-gale.livejournal.com]

Sounds like fun. And sorry to hear about the derisive sniffing.

Once in college, I got a group of friends together to travel to San Francisco to see the Pope: but everyone overslept and missed the appearance. None of us were religious, but we appreciated a good spectacle.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

It's all right, he was probably part of the SayNoToPope Coalition, a group of 60 or so who are annoying me, let alone the pilgrims.

That sounds exactly like something that I would do, you know ;-) I had an American friend who missed seeing the Queen twice, and couldn't understand why I was so unsympathetic. She was not impressed with the "I see her all the time" excuse ...

[norton-gale.livejournal.com]

ciel_vert was in London for three days and saw Prince Charles walking down the street. You Brits and your ubiquitous royals... though I guess it is like living in LA and running into Ben Affleck (or the like) at Whole Foods.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Ah Charlie, he's lovely. The Prime Minister used to just potter about, too, but too many IRA attacks stopped that.

But up until John Howard, Australian Prime Ministers were very relaxed. I was once buying a bottle of wine when Paul Keating, then PM, ran into the bottle shop and picked up a couple of reds.

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

I went to see the Pope when he was in Toronto (John Paul II, at that time.) God, I was so hung over that morning, possibly still drunk from the party the night before. Er - my faith is a complicated myriad of contradictions. :D

But what a blast. I know we made a mess and really annoyed the city but it was a terrific experience. One I will never forget. JPII was, of course, a very different Pope than Benedict. But I have a lot of respect from the current one.

The Catholic Church has many failings. I cannot even begin to justify them, i won't try. But somethings that people jump on (like the Hitler Youth thing) can and should be discussed and understood.

because I have been lost in the crowds and been carted off to see an exorcist when my cranky baby lion impersonations are misunderstood *snort* douses you with holy water.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Ooh! No holy water in this weather! Brrrrr!

It does seem to be one giant party. Most of the pilgrims have been delightful, with only a few obnoxious ones about. I'll see if I am so generous tomorrow night after the day that looks as though it will be Big. Though it will be more likely the state transit system that makes it horrid than the pilgrims!

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

Hee! ::towels you off with a purificator::

That amount of people (happy pilgrims or not) are bound to be frustrating. I remember having a bit of a crowd-freak-out moment that day trying to get onto the subway platform with 3000 other people. Everyone was very well behaved, considering, but a bit of pushing is impossible to avoid.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the towelling!

This morning was actually quieter than usual, by a notable amount. I'll probably be swept into a cathedral tonight in a stampede to balance things out, but I do like a good hymn and the architecture is magnificent ...

[dragonfly-lily.livejournal.com]

I miss Sydney. *sniff*

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Not at the moment, you don't! Though it is a beautiful day for Pope on a Boat.

[spark-of-chaos.livejournal.com]

These Pope!posts amuse me. I find myself reading with the same suspended disbelief that I'd do an account of how they eat crickets in Asia. Like - yeah, it happens, obviously, but it seems so out of my own world I *have* to stare a bit... :amused:

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

It's much the same for us, there was no warning given and no one expected it since Sydney is not really a very Catholic city (or not at all if I am being accurate). It has a nice cathedral and a foul-tempered cardinal, but that's about it.

Late last year the government said "Oh, by the way we're holding World Youth Day in July."

We said: "You're what? Why? What is it? Why were we not consulted?"

They said: "No, no, no, it'll be great. It's like the Olympics for Catholics. Won't cost a cent and will bring in loads of lovely tourism."

About a month ago the government said "OK, so it's nearly here, what we're going to do is close half the city so that pilgrims won't be inconvenienced, also, we'll try to pass an outrageous law that will probably be struck down in the courts, spend somewhere between $30- and $60-million of your money, and send hordes of pilgrims out on to the streets. OH! And remember how we added all those extra trains and busses for the Olympics? We're not doing that this time."

We said: "We hate you so much. Watch us all vote conservative at the next election, for the first time in our lives."

[spark-of-chaos.livejournal.com]

:cracks up:

I think you might have just relayed the general government-people sort of dialogue, only, you know, Pope!customised. What did they do after your declaration of hate? Nod gravely and with total uncaring? That's what ours would do...

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

They said: "You know it's two and a half years until the next election, don't you. This city has a three-day attention span. We'll schedule it for the weekend of the footy final and no one will give a damn."

To which I glared, and replied: "I survived THatcher, I will survive your half-baked allegedly leftist Thatcher impersonation, unless you start wearing pussybos, in which case I will run, screaming."