Australia is ready

“There are many elements leading to view the forthcoming World Youth Day in Sydney as a great day: there is widespread emotion, hope and expectation”. SIR reports the words of Msgr. Anthony Fisher, auxiliary bishop of Sydney and coordinator of the WYD who at three days from the Day drew a balance on the preparations under way. The purposes is also to place the event in its most natural environment of faith and religiousness which is not that of business, as described in recent media reports on the funds allocated by the Federal Government of the New South Wales.”Registrations keep on coming in – Fisher said – last week we chose the actors for the Via Crucis. Jesus will be personified by an Australian of Italian origins, Alfio Stuto. The volunteers’ uniforms were presented too. It’s hard work but every day we see the results. There is a constant commitment by everybody, especially by the 6000 volunteers. However, we are still asking for help, which we will be needing those days. We confide in the adhesions of international youth. Everyone is asked to speak a second language”. In order to promote the reception of the youth in Sydney’s families you launched the campaign “Homestay”. How is the city responding to the invitation to open their doors? “Registrations keep coming in here too: at the moment they amount to 17thousand, but we aim at reaching 40 thousand. I believe it is a positive experience for the youth who will be in touch will the families. The same goes for the families”. How is Sydney responding to what is described as the major youth meeting in the history of Australia? “I think the city hasn’t yet realized the scope of the WYD. It’s a constant challenge: I refer to transportation, considering that Sydney is a very large city. Luckily in the WYD week schools will be closed and public transportation will be increased”.”.Is this why the Media have a cold attitude towards the WYD? “Yes, it’s true. There’s a negative atmosphere due to the fact that Sydney, despite being an international city, isn’t used to hosting great events like Rome or Paris. I think Australians have their own temperament, since on the one side there is expectation and on the other there is fear. This is due to the fact that we’re a young Country. However, I am hopeful. Even for the Olympic games the press was pessimistic but then people became enthusiastic. I’m sure that Sydey’s citizens will realize only when they will see all the youth on the streets and they will love them”. There was much talk on the economic advantages that the WYD will bring to the Country, what about spiritual gains? “This Country is known for its tranquility and its democracy but each generation needs different and new values. The present moment is very important for Australia’s economy and the financial income, along with social and religious gains, will be perceivable only in the future. I’m sure that the fire of faith brought by the youth will be felt only later on, and it will bear new fruits also to young Australians”. The WYD is open to everyone and you have personally invited delegations of young Muslims and Jews. Will it be a WYD under the banner of ecumenical and interreligious dialogue? “During our meeting, the representatives of the other churches and religions present in Sydney all responded enthusiastically to the invitation. Both Muslims and Jews will open their schools and lodging facilities. They will also take part in the Youth festival. They will be joined by Buddhists and Protestants. We musn’t forget that this Country has a multi-cultural and multi-religious basis. I also think it will be a positive occasion for a possible meeting among the different religious representatives”. What will be the role of the Aboriginals ? The Australian government recently apologized for the discriminations they underwent… “The culture of the Aboriginal community will give an important imprint to the WYD: from the chasubles to the crucifixes, everything will recall the first inhabitants of this land. In the opening ceremony, in the Harbour Bridge bay, the Pope will be received with tribal dances. Even the natives of Fiji and Samoa will be present”. The presence of youth from Countries in conflict was also announced.“In Sydney there will be youth from martyred lands like Iraq. To facilitate the arrival In Australia of a group of young Iraqis, too poor to cover the expense of the trip, we asked and obtained sponsoring from the American government as a gesture of peace. They will be accompanied by one-hundred youth from the Christian Caldean Community in Sydney. Thanks to their presence, combined with that of Middle-Eastern youth, the final Mass will be recited also in Arabic”. by Francesca BaldiniSydney