Roman Catholic Woodstock?
This description is fanciful, not to mention blessedly inaccurate, l but would you agree that any global event bringing together 800.000 to a million young people is a big deal? That's what happened for the Jubilee youth event in Rome where a final mass by Pope Leo was attended by the next generation of Roman Catholics. The attendees represented 146 countries so this was a major organizational feat for the Vatican in every way. Many of the youth camped during the event.
This was more than a "happy clappy" religious gathering according to The Guardian:
In [Leo's] homily, the former missionary and first US pope encouraged the gathered youth to “spread your enthusiasm and the witness of your faith to everyone you meet”.
The Vatican has sought to highlight the fact that pilgrims travelled to Rome from war-torn regions, and Leo said in his Angelus prayer: “We are closer than ever to young people who suffer the most serious evils which are caused by other human beings.”
“We are with the young people of Gaza. We are with the young people of Ukraine, with those of every land bloodied by war,” the pontiff said.
“My young brothers and sisters, you are the sign that a different world is possible, a world of fraternity and friendship where conflicts are not resolved with weapons but with dialogue.”
Some observers within the church noted that despite the impressive numbers young people are conspiciously absent from many congregations, a reality in lots of denominations including the United Church. Some feel at odds with church doctrine on LGBTQ2S+ rights and abortion and the role of women. And we live in a secular age where there is indifference to many institutions.
Will this event be a catalyst for re-engagement with faith for Catholic youth? We can hope so, even if it wasn't Woodstock 2025.
No comments:
Post a Comment