Priest Says Youth Day A Waste Of Money

[cappie]

A CATHOLIC priest has said the money being spent on World Youth Day is an embarrassment and a scandal.

Father Peter Confeggi, a parish priest at Mount Druitt, said there was also a "large amount of dissatisfaction" with the spirituality that will be taught during the event, with many fearing it would be a right-wing brand of Catholicism.

Others within the church who did not want to be named told The Sun-Herald of similar concerns about the six-day event, which will cost the church an estimated $150million and NSW taxpayers at least $86million.

"There is a great dissatisfaction with the Restorationist spirituality, which is also devoid of any commitment to social justice," Father Confeggi said.

Father Confeggi said his parish was one of the most disadvantaged in Sydney. He said the church and state funds could be directed elsewhere, including to the 120,000 people sleeping homeless in Australia or education of the disadvantaged.

"To keep the church doors open here in Mount Druitt we scratch week after week after week," he said.

"The bottom line is this is a gross embarrassment to the church that I serve."

Father Confeggi said it was an "utter scandal" that a chalice, Communion plate and vessel to hold Communion hosts - adorned by Argyle diamonds and being made for a rumoured six-figure sum - would be given to the Pope.

Yesterday Bishop Kevin Manning, the Bishop of Parramatta and member of the local organising committee for the event, defended it, saying it was "an investment in the future of the Church and society".

"World Youth Day is about renewing the faith and ideals of young people so that they, too, will work for social justice and charity and will carry forward the works of the Church in these areas," he said. "The Catholic Church is the largest non-government provider of education, health care and welfare services for the disadvantaged in Australia and the world and we want to ensure that such works continue and are strengthened in the future."

He said World Youth Day would "renew Australia's commitment to a fair go, produce a new generation of leaders committed to justice and charity, and also guarantee that the significant contribution the church makes to the care of the most disadvantaged continues".

[Archaeology cat]

[quote name='cappie' post='1593505' date='Jul 7 2008, 10:52 AM']Father Peter Confeggi, a parish priest at Mount Druitt, said there was also a "large amount of dissatisfaction" with the spirituality that will be taught during the event, with many fearing it would be a right-wing brand of Catholicism. [/quote]
Okay. . .

[Madame Vengier]

I'm going to ignore the part about "right-wing Catholicism". His other points are valid. WYD is very expensive. I know of various organizations and groups who are doing fund-raising for various reasons and the amounts of money they are asking for is staggering. But at the same time I think WYD is vital. So I don't see a way around spending the money.

I do have a big problem with giving jewel-encrusted chalices to the Pope.

Edited July 7, 2008 by Madame Vengier

[CatherineM]

Being in the same kind of parish, there are many things that he said that I completely understand. The money that was spent sending people to the Eucharistic Congress could have financed the desperately needed organist or youth minister for our parish.

I don't like labels like Right wing Catholic, but as wonderful as the new, more devout attitudes among our young, they seem to be less interested in social justice issues than in their personal piety. That's not just about Catholics though. There is a "centered on self" attitude inherent in us humans, that we have to try hard to fight against. My father was very pragmatic. He'd say, "yes, take time to pray for them, but get your hands dirty too."

[mortify]

Right wing Catholicism? Talk about nonsense. I wouldn't be surprised if this priest's criticism runs much deeper than financial spending on WYD.

[aalpha1989]

[quote name='Madame Vengier' post='1593519' date='Jul 7 2008, 07:35 AM']I do have a big problem with giving jewel-encrusted chalices to the Pope.[/quote]

Why? Its use is for the holiest sacrifice possible... It holds the Precious Blood of the man-God who died for all of us, our king, our very reason for life. Our everything. Why not make something as fit to hold His Blood as possible? Nothing on this earth can be worthy of Him, but we should do our best, right?

[HisChildForever]

[quote name='aalpha1989' post='1593839' date='Jul 7 2008, 02:31 PM']Why? Its use is for the holiest sacrifice possible... It holds the Precious Blood of the man-God who died for all of us, our king, our very reason for life. Our everything. Why not make something as fit to hold His Blood as possible? Nothing on this earth can be worthy of Him, but we should do our best, right?[/quote]

Jesus was very humble. I love at the end of [i] Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade [/i] that the original chalice was not made of precious jewels but made of wood. How fitting, as Christ not only died on wood, but his trade was carpentry!

I feel that such a chalice is more symbolic for us than for Him. It's just unnecessary. What's important is the Precious Blood, not some hugely expensive chalice.

[Deb]

I think that if it is using money that could be better spent, maybe things should not be so lavish. I know my Archbishop was going and I was reading that at the same time I was opening my reminder of the money I pledged for the Catholic Appeal. It made me kind of wonder.

I understand Australia wanting to host this event but, having it a place that is so expensive for people to get to in the first place was a bad idea. There will only be about a fifth of the normal turn out due to the expense. That isn't very helpful in bringing the youth together.

[mommas_boy]

[quote name='aalpha1989' post='1593839' date='Jul 7 2008, 02:31 PM']Why? Its use is for the holiest sacrifice possible... It holds the Precious Blood of the man-God who died for all of us, our king, our very reason for life. Our everything. Why not make something as fit to hold His Blood as possible? Nothing on this earth can be worthy of Him, but we should do our best, right?[/quote]

I agree with you, we should do our best ... but I am certain that the Pope already has numerous chalices, patens, and ciboria that he can use that are equally well-adorned. If we're always trying to do our best, we're going to be constantly replacing these items, and always looking for something better. Yet, we will never be able to provide what Christ truly deserves this side of eternity due to our finite nature that he created.

[jmjtina]

As the [url="http://www.splendoroftruth.com/curtjester/index.html"]Curt Jester[/url] so lovingly put it:

[quote]In other news Judas Iscariot said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" I am not trying to infer that Father Confeggi here is a thief, but this is such an old argument. I think the World Youth Days in general have been a smashing success and have brought people closer to the faith and has helped people to see their vocations. Quite a few priests and religious point at attending one of the WYD as a important part in their discernment of a vocations.[/quote]

We have ipods and computers. Before we go saying, "I have a problem..." go and sell your computer and give the $$$ to the poor. Yet, this is phatmass, with a mission specifically to evangelize through the internet.

It's the same old argument.

Indiana Jones was not King David.

Edited July 7, 2008 by jmjtina

[cappie]

[quote name='Deb' post='1594013' date='Jul 8 2008, 05:54 AM']I understand Australia wanting to host this event but, having it a place that is so expensive for people to get to in the first place was a bad idea. There will only be about a fifth of the normal turn out due to the expense. That isn't very helpful in bringing the youth together.[/quote]

Pardon us for living

[homeschoolmom]

Well... while it may be difficult for those of us in the US to get to Australia (due to the cost of a trans-Pacific flight), those in Asia or Southern South America may be more likely to be able to attend.

It would be wrong to only have WORLDYD in North America or Europe just because those are the cheapest places for us to travel to.

Anyone know where the next one is?

[jmjtina]

IMHO, Australia is a GREAT place to have it!!!!! I mean, you leave the US and everyone still speaks ENGLISH!!!!

France was hard. Germany was harder.

Australia is a dream come true for many youth ministers. Getting to experience WYD in your language, well, that's one obstacle many YM's are crossing off their lists! Not to mention is just BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

Texas is so ready. Hopefully we don't sound too hick.

Edited July 7, 2008 by jmjtina

[mommas_boy]

[quote name='jmjtina' post='1594043' date='Jul 7 2008, 04:21 PM']As the [url="http://www.splendoroftruth.com/curtjester/index.html"]Curt Jester[/url] so lovingly put it:
We have ipods and computers. Before we go saying, "I have a problem..." go and sell your computer and give the $$$ to the poor. Yet, this is phatmass, with a mission specifically to evangelize through the internet.

It's the same old argument.

Indiana Jones was not King David.[/quote]

I am not saying that the entirety of WYD should not take place. Heck, our Church needs to do MORE for the youth; I personally am struggling adjusting to Catholic life outside of the Newman Center. Indeed, service to the youth [b]is[/b] service to the poor -- service to the poor in spirit. It will also inspire the next generation of Mother Teresas who will serve the monetarily poor. My own calling to be an urban educator is tied to my sense of social justice as received in my Faith, which I experienced primarily through conferences such as these growing up.

Instead, what I am asking for is an evaluation, line-item wise, of each of the individual expenses involved, and asking if each of these expenses is worth the sacrifice to obtain. If they are, which most are, then the sacrifice [b]should[/b] be made. In the issue of the chalice, paten, and ciborium, since the Pope most assuredly already has [b]many[/b] of these, I do not believe that this expense was worth the reported six-figure sacrifice.

[cappie]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' post='1594067' date='Jul 8 2008, 06:42 AM']Well... while it may be difficult for those of us in the US to get to Australia (due to the cost of a trans-Pacific flight),
Anyone know where the next one is?[/quote]

Doesn't anyone in North America think it was difficult for us to raise the money to go to Denver, Toronto, Rome or Germany ?

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='cappie' post='1594077' date='Jul 7 2008, 04:50 PM']Doesn't anyone in North America think it was difficult for us to raise the money to go to Denver, Toronto, Rome or Germany ? [/quote]
That was my point exactly. Why should it always be easy for one side and not the other? I was... you know... on your side...

[mommas_boy]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' post='1594067' date='Jul 7 2008, 04:42 PM']It would be wrong to only have WORLDYD in North America or Europe just because those are the cheapest places for us to travel to.[/quote]

[quote name='cappie' post='1594077' date='Jul 7 2008, 04:50 PM']Doesn't anyone in North America think it was difficult for us to raise the money to go to Denver, Toronto, Rome or Germany ? [/quote]

Agreed. Moving WYD is worthwhile, and while difficult for those who must pilgrimage a long way to get there, is an example of a worthwhile sacrifice.

[jmjtina]

Most of the chalices used by the pontiff have been passed down for centuries. You state that there was a reported "six figure sacrifice". Can you link me?

Most items are donated by people, stained glass windows, fancy pews, chalices, etc. Sure the Church buys some, but most of the really expensive ones are donated.

Why is it so easy to say "What a waste" on things that accompany the Mass and yet when we see a celebrity with a purse/phone/name any item, we are so quick to say, "I need one of those!" ? This isn't aimed at anyone, just throwing a thought out there since the thread was about "waste of money".

[mortify]

[quote name='jmjtina' post='1594043' date='Jul 7 2008, 03:21 PM']As the [url="http://www.splendoroftruth.com/curtjester/index.html"]Curt Jester[/url] so lovingly put it:
We have ipods and computers. Before we go saying, "I have a problem..." go and sell your computer and give the $$$ to the poor. Yet, this is phatmass, with a mission specifically to evangelize through the internet.[/quote]

Exactly.

The best is spent for ourselves, while for God we reserve the cheapest!

I say let New York city empty all its Museums, sell all the artwork, and feed the hungry!

Edited July 7, 2008 by mortify

[dominicansoul]

Fr. Peter Confeggi is right and wrong. He's right, there needs to be greater awareness of serving the poor for all of us. It makes me think of Mother Theresa. How she went through those slums so many times on her way to school, until the Lord woke her up to the abandoned poor right before her midst. I believe we need reminders of those around us who are constantly in need of our help, both materially and most importantly spiritually. And if we are gonna spend $10.00 to watch a movie, or spend $50+ for concerts and ball games, surely we can give a little of what God blesses us with our Church and the poor around us. There are some very poor parishes that are always in need. And Fr. Confeggi's seems to be one of them.

But I feel he is wrong in saying WYD is a waste of money. WYD is such an evangelical event that brings the youth closer to the Lord and His Holy Church. It is so needed in this day and age. Our youth get revitalized, their hopes rise and there is a much needed spirit of rejuvenation that pumps them up in their Faith and their beliefs. This is worth the millions....it is utterly priceless...

About the diamond crusted chalice, or whatever expensive gems it is made from....I think the Lord will take that gift and bless the person donating it to the Pope. If they have the money to do that, than I don't see it as a waste. It is being given to the King of Kings, to hold His Most Precious Blood. In the Old Testament, the Jews gave their all to build God a temple "worthy" of Him...it was elaborate and filled with all kinds of treasures. I don't see why we can't do that today. All in all, seeing that God is the richest Person in our world, we shouldn't even be counting the costs...