I’m an ex-Catholic, 30+ years removed - still, I have the insider’s understanding of Catholicism. At least, I thought I did…
I’d always thought of ‘happy-clappies’ as Protestants. The folk Mass of the 1970s was a far more sedate and yes, folky affair than the sweaty swaying and fainting of the bible-bashing evangelicals.
I live, work and play in the area at the heart of World Youth Day but had told myself it would be easy to ignore it all. (Maybe I couldn’t quite believe that thousands of people would travel for an event like that.) Nevertheless, among the local soccer mums, special WYD resident parking permits began to be a conversational item a few weeks ago, along with road closures and the erection of security fences in Centennial Park. Two weeks ago in the park, a vehicle full of men in suits glided across the lawn as I walked my dog, at the Randwick Racecouse end - very secret-service-like.
I began to spy my first ‘pilgrims’ last week - young people with backpacks wandering near St Mary’s Cathedral or mulling around in Hyde Park (where there are huge WYD marquees).
On the weekend, firsthand reports began to filter in of people singing as they arrived at the airport. Friends returning to Australia from school holiday trips overseas were bemused to find themselves surrounded by jolly, singing youth.
This morning, the roads were almost empty of traffic. [How easy it is for the state government to get people off the roads when they want to. If only they would apply this level of diligence and planning to the ongoing Sydney traffic and public transport crisis.] The park was almost empty of people. The usual cyclists, walkers and joggers had evaporated.
I rode my bike into the city for an appointment. The footpaths had less than half the usual number of people on them - and some of those who were walking around were obviously WYD visitors, from their telltale backpacks and jackets. As I went past St Mary’s, a small group carrying a large US flag were walking up the steps - that was my first encounter with flag-waving, but I quickly realised flags were a big part of this event, as I passed groups under the New Zealand flag and the Japanese flag.
Coming home, near Hyde Park, I saw a large band of singing, clapping people parading down the footpath on Elizabeth Street under a huge Finnish flag. Bizarre.
They aren’t singing hymns - at least, they aren’t singing traditional hymns. They don’t even sound like folk hymns. Apparently church music has moved on since I moved on from the church.
Not to be too NIMBY about it, but I’m concerned about the ban on cycling in Centennial Park this weekend. I can understand no cars, to avoid congestion. But can’t the crowds that are expected in the park accomodate the people of Sydney as we go about our lives? (Especially given that this area of Sydney has the largest Jewish population in Australia.)
Essentially, there haven’t been any good answers as to why WYD is taking over part of the eastern suburbs of Sydney for a week and isn’t out being held at the Olympic site, which was designed to accomodate events on this scale.
Suz, I think I read somewhere that the Olympics site didn’t have the capacity to accommodate the number of people they expected for the Papal Mass. But I think it has a lot to do with George Pell’s ego, to be honest. If he can get his buddies in the state government to close down inner city Sydney, then he’s the man! And I reckon he’s got some sort of weird historical thing going on about being Mannix’ successor and staging a big event that shows Catholicism is now integrated into Australian power structures rather than being the religion of the Irish proles.
Btw, if you want an antidote to the happy-clappy style of Catholicism, here’s a photo of the Pope’s first Mass in Australia at the Opus Dei retreat - much more B16’s actual style! (Along with the Prada sunnies of course)
http://thenewliturgicalmovement.blogspot.com/2008/07/first-papal-mass-in-australia.html
[Suz, I think I read somewhere that the Olympics site didn’t have the capacity to accommodate the number of people they expected for the Papal Mass.]
That would indeed be the case as I recall when John Paul II came to Perth in 1986 they held the Papal mass at Belmont Park Racecourse, as it was the biggest place to hold the crowd, plus there was a Railway Station nearby.
I think JP2’s mass was at Randwick too. But it begs the question of why the mass couldn’t have been somewhere other than the main site for the event’s other aspects. Presumably there’s decent public transport infrastructure to move people to the Olympics site?
Atruckload of happy clappers jumping up and down spilling candlewax and rosary beads on the ground that will be accomodating a Bledisloe Cup match in less than two weeks?
Not even Pell is that stupid.
Yesterday there was a huge bunch of the kids sitting in front of Town Hall.
This had displaced the usual throng of goths and the like that tend to congregate there, particularly during school holidays. These latter kids were off the the side, somewhat disgruntled.
It’s like they’re trying to drive them to Satan.
“mulling” around in Hyde Park? Bloody hippies!Send those NIMBYs to Nimbin.
Benedictus, don’t forget that Pell is from Melbourne, and was an Aussie Rules player in his youth.
Malcolm Turnbull is apparently claiming the credit fot WYD celebrations being held at Randwick. Back page of this morning’s Herald, along with an account of the first arrest under the nuisance laws. Some topless lasses locking themselves in a cage and ptotestring against KFC. Can’t see well enough to read the link instructions.
The great bulk of Catholics are not of the po-faced Irish variety we’re used to here, which might explain why the medieval exuberance is a bit of a surprise to Oz.
Kim wrote:
and wogs too Kim, don’t forget. Although, in the traditional pecking order of churches in Australia, I always had the impression that Methodists were on the bottom and (not coincidentally) the first to go happy clappy via the Uniting church. They’ve come a long way from “no drinking, no dancing”.
I think that as soon as a church organisation decides to go vaudeville, their days are numbered. Churches work much better scaring the bejesus out of their audience.
Ah, Anita, you caught my Freudian typo - the slip between ‘milling about’ and ‘mulling things over’.
I was in Melbourne CBD in Saturday and was getting thoroughly annoyed by waves of singing, flag waving youth. I’m sure as individuals they’re lovely, but en masse they were just this braindead monster you had to take a very wide berth to avoid.
All this stuff of dragging icons and crosses around does seem quite sick to me.
Exactly Fine - you should be in Sydney. My train this morning was a mobile and very crowded chapel. “we all need someone to lean on” was not my choice of song or sentiment at 7.30 in the morning, particularly as the nearest persons to lean on looked as pissed off as I was.
“All this stuff of dragging icons and crosses around does seem quite sick to me.”
The icons and crosses are nothing compared to how sick it is to be dragging dead bodies all over the world for the faithful to pray to.
Did anyone else notice the young man on the news,one of the cross carriers, who stated “I am carrying Jesus burden”? Wow! I was once a born again Christian ,now agnostic, who found that rather funny.
I was in the Brisbane CBD on Sunday, and as I was walking towards Fred Paterson Square (aka King George Square) I heard the sounds of drums and chanting, and my initial thought was that I was about to cross paths with the Hares. Then the sound became clearer and it turned out to be a Latin American pilgrim contingent, complete with pipes and drums of the Andes.
Friends, among the non-conformists Happy Clappers usually means Pentecostals e.g. Hillsong. All that speaking in tongues and laying-on-of-the-hands (something that other protestant types generally, i.e. ‘officially’ regard as somewhat suspect, BTW).
But it’s a funny old world. In seeking a revolution for ‘freedom of religion’ (i.e. freedom from the official State religion), the non-conformists gave wiggle room for the heretics like Pentecostals and Baptists, and even worse, allowed the Catholics and other forms of Atheism space to practice their abominations too.
(N.B. of course being a non-conformist who believes in neither the historical divinity of Jesus Christ nor the existence of a omnipotent God who intervenes in the material universe, also makes me one of those damn Atheistic Abominations).
No railway station anywhere near Randwick.
Is Father Ted going to make an appearance?
I’d go if Father Ted turned up.
Well if he did, it would be a miracle of biblical proportions.
Would Dougal be ok?
No. I want the Pope to raise Father Ted from the dead. C’mon, show me a miracle and I’m a believer.
Every individual needs those spiritually touching moments, opportunities that create/construct a sense of AWE, THE JOINING of ENERGY, ONENESS, touching THE OTHER, reaching outside the normal state, blasting us beyond the confines of our caged, mortal state…
I had that experience in the audience as Sonic Youth, Mogwai, Boston, Crow & a few other bands & artists spoke to us thru sound waves & light…gathered us up & threw us into the everwhere, spiraling free & released…or when watching Close Encounters of the Third Kind & Apocalypse Now (spiritually awakening moments are not all goody goody) on the big, wide screen…or walking for many miles lost in the Canadian wilderness, followed/driven by a bear, real or imagined…and staring out of a Bombay window pissed on tequila observing the monsoons first days effects on the ocean and beach dwellers…and sitting late at night writing poetry & looking to the stars, joined by a homeless dog, warmed by the burning embers of a forest felled by cold property developers w/ no light in their eyes…and sitting, meditating w/ my love amidst compassionate, seemingly calm & content, outwardly sharing & peaceful Raj Yoga members…and a trip i took in Vienna that showed me the complexity of our genes & immensity of our memory…& the infinite possibilities.
Those special moments, and many others, are imprinted on my genes…spread by the word & music.
This latest bout of forced Christian euphoria will certainly bring enlightenment to some participants…particularly those freed from their usual isolation, parental smothering…the taste of another environment can be uplifting for those used to the banality of religious-based ritual & routine…yes, many will find that special spiritually soaring, awakening & lasting moment that they seek…
but it might not occur due to THE SHOW…or take place in the arena of the myth-makers…or from purchasing symbols. Rather, it might come sitting quietly at the edge of the harbour, observing others lost in the SWIRL (luv that Aussie band)…or in the smile of a fellow traveller who waits for you on the hill, the city-scape shining below like the coming flotilla.
Unrelenting propaganda, desperate calls for rabbit-style births…& claws reaching out from haunted smiles & piercing eyes demanding money like loathsome car salesmen to prop up high priests & money lenders…it just doesn’t have the same effect. Unless you’re looking to be caged.
“Happy-Clappyville” indeed…well said Su…many will have euphoric moments…but there is something of the Crusades…& Pleasantville to all this.
N’
Yes, it reminds me of the sad clowns who turn up to anti-nuclear/anti-war/anti-warming rallies with their bongo drums, dreadlocks and a head full of nuthin’. All young,idealistic, sweet and silly with a mission to save the planet or our souls.
WYD taking over Syndey’s park is nothing. It only happens once every blue moon. We get the Garden Show shutting down Exhibition Gardens every year.
Just because Christians get happy and start singing spontaneously shouldn’t be too much cause for alarm. Drunken yodelling UK rugby supporters taking over the city pubs during international Rugby fixtures is far more challenging.
And guess who’s hosting the SBS Coverage - Ray “Bloody’ Martin.
I watched it. Kevin Rudd was in a very Christian mood in his welcoming speech!
The sporty and activist Blessed Pier is having the time of his life.
(Apparently he’s miked up for some commentary but I couldn’t hear a thing.)
[I watched it. Kevin Rudd was in a very Christian mood in his welcoming speech!
]
It’s in delay here in WA and Rudd’s speech is currently on - methinks former PM Howard would be welcoming pilgrams in their native tongue so fluently as well - watch Downer respond with spite and that “I can speak France as Well”
Yeah. I thought about how Howard would have done it. But after finishing off displaying his miraculous gift of tongues, KRudd outdoes even JHo in his celebration of the wonders of Christianity!
Let the kids have their spiritual fun, as long as they don’t try and force others to adopt their lifestyle. As Rev Lovejoy said, “Ned, have you thought about one
of the other major religions, there all pretty much the same…” That quote doesn’t mean much of anything. Anyway, here’s the faces of Catholicism we all know and love: the drunk, the spunk, the quirky and the cute.
Alas, I have not found the roads empty of traffic, though yesterday’s run to work was a bit quicker. But I live “out” near Olympic Park, Suz. Actually, that’s “in” — the geographic centre of Sydney is only slightly further west. YOU live out on the fringe! Of course, the reasons for using Randwick are (a) because it has an excellent bus service and (b) all the Catholics know where it is.
I am also an ex-Catholic but even in the ’70s the folk songs were coming in; it certainly wouldn’t surprise me to hear happy-clappy hymns from today’s yoof. Are they the same ghastly white-soul style I hear Anglican teenagers listening to? Blergh.
The “official” WYD song features the vocal stylings (!) of Guy Sebastian. Though I don’t know if that answers your question, Chookie!
“KRudd outdoes even JHo in his celebration of the wonders of Christianity!”
Where are the hardline secularists ready to fight?
Probably wishing it will all go away.
And hoping that Turkey is more about xmas tucker than war.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jul/15/turkey
Here’s the text of what Rudd had to say:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24024781-601,00.html
“KRudd outdoes even JHo in his celebration of the wonders of Christianity!”
Thats probably because Rudd is an actual Christian - whereas JHo was just politically aligned to the Christian right.
Ex-Methodist goes Anglican for upward mobility in 1960s Australia. That’s all you need to know about Howard and Religion.
Lefty E. Ouch!
The “official” WYD song features the vocal stylings (!) of Guy Sebastian.
*Shudder*
Anybody know whether Guy Sebastian’s pregancy “crisis” (i.e. anti-abortion) “counselling” centre is still in existence? I can only find reports from 2005.
Actually, don’t be too hard on Guy Sebastian. Despite his reliious affiliations (or at least his former one - don’t the snake-handlers regard Papists as being the spawn of Satan, btw?) he’s got a reasonable voice. I inadvertantly heard some stuff off an album of soul covers he did recently, and it was OK. He was helped out by a kick-arse Muscle Shoals band, from the sound of it. I wouldn’t buy it, but I wouldn’t reflexively turn the radio off, either.
He’s got a great voice, but that’s hardly the point.
Yeah, Guy’s last album actually had Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn on it. Toured here with him too, if I’d known in time I would’ve actually gone to his gig just to see them. That’s my kinda religious experience.
I don’t think I would have gone to see Guy Sebastian, but if Cropper and Dunn toured with Booker T or Dan Ackroyd, that’d be another matter entirely …
Now isn’t HE a right proper happy clapper … Hillsong and all that???
Speaking of bad religous music … at my niece’s baptist wedding, they sang these “hymns”, like … bad plod-along A.O.R … nearly at a Nickleback level of dull. With God lyrics. Also the preacher said there were three people in a marriage - husband wife and jesus - which set a lot of my rather irreligious family a-twittering as to just what sort of pervert jesus is anyway. But the music. Blech. For Christ’s sake just play Bach, Handel, maybe a bit of Mozart if you’re kinky then everyone sing ‘Jerusalem’.
Guy’s not quite Hillsong, it was the snake-handler’s church at Paradise (Adelaide).
As a guitarist, I’d love to play with the space and timing of Steve Cropper. I dig Amanda’s spiritualism but having them in you backing band does not a soul singer make.
SMH hack Bernard Zuel in a moment of lucidity wrote:
So Guy singing soul covers would turn my ears to mush if not totally destroy them. Go listen to some Eli ‘Paperboy’ Reed instead. He doesn’t need to apply unneeded retreads to time-worn classics to stir up a storm.
As for good religions music, The Blind Boys of Alamaba will make you want to believe and Blind Willie Johnson will scare you the bejeebus out of you if a heathen.
I did a WYD themed muxtape. http://flopearedmule.muxtape.com/ No happy clapping.
Shaun wrote:
Here are some excerpts from a review for The Memphis Album(Guy’s vocal stylings which will destroy your ears)from Laurie Mercer, who wites for AllMusic.com, a very big international music site:
Oh and what Steve Cropper(the legendary soul guitarist you admire so much) said about him on a Memphis radio station a few months ago:
And how he felt performing on stage with Guy:
.
I guess Steve Cropper considers him a soul singer even if Mr Zuel and you don’t. And as Steve just happens to be in 3 American Halls Of Fame(Rock, Songwriter’s and most recently the Musician’s Hall Of Fame), I reckon he may know a tad more about soul than either of you.
The Memphis Album had outstanding reviews from almost every Aussie music writer who reviewed it, including a couple of very tough music critics from The Weekend Australian and The Adelaide Sunday Mail. Guy has been nominated for a Helpman Award for Best Performance In An Australian Contemporary Concert for The Memphis Tour.
Shaun, perhaps you should at least research a teeny tiny bit before making assumptions and bagging a singer and his cd because of a little mention by one sour graped music snob reviewer.
I went to see my idols, Steve and Duck. I don’t know what I expected with Guy. I’m not anti-Idol and good luck to them if they get a break off that show, but I’d never given them that much thought. What I saw was a singer who belonged right where he was. This baby-faced kid commanded that stage like he’d been doing it at top level for years. He was in control, sings like a dream and it sure felt like soul to me.
Spot on Phil. Best concert I’d been to in years.
Crop,Duck and Guy.
Brilliant all of them! Hope they get to do more together.