Youth Against World Youth Day

By Bjorn Watland

Youth Against World Youth Day organized and executed an effective protest of Pope Benedict XVI's recent visit to Melbourne, Australia on July 13. Jason Ball, President of the University of Melbourne Secular Society and a Youth Against World Youth Day Spokesperson expressed several concerns about the Pope's visit, including the government's endorsement of Catholicism, harmful Catholic policies, and shocking new laws which limit speech.

"We're frustrated by the taxpayer funded nature of the event, to the tune of $150 million (122 million USD)." Mr. Ball said in an interview. For reference, article 116 of the Australian Constitution states, "The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be required as qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth." The language sounds very familiar to the establishment clause of the US Constitution. So, there should be no surprise to the reactions of citizens of Melbourne. This is clearly an endorsement of Catholicism by the state. However, this is only one reason why a protest was organized.

The New South Wales government passed "annoyance laws" which are active during July, during the Pope's visit. The laws, which prohibited annoying behavior, imposed a $5,500 (4,500USD ) fine for any behavior deemed annoying by police or volunteers. In protest, organizers marched in front of the Parliament House with shirts which read "Pope is Wrong, Put A Condom On!" and "This Shirt is Annoying (followed by NSW cabinet ministers)." Mr. Ball noted that shirts with messages like these, and "Blasphemy is Not a Crime," would be considered annoying by most Catholics.

Joining the Youth Against World Youth Day protesters were victims of sexual abuse by priests. A moment of silence was observed for those to died as a result of suicide, drug or alcohol use after being abused by a priest. Condoms were passed out to youth who made the pilgrimage to see the Pope for World Youth Day as a response to HIV infections rising 41 percent in the last four years in Australia. Youth Against World Youth Day opposes the treatment of women, homosexuals and scientific research by the Catholic Church.

As an example, the Catholic Church runs 21 public hospitals in Australia. They refuse rape counseling in those hospitals, because the women may choose to have an abortion. The Catholic Church actively campaigns against the use of contraceptives in Africa to prevent HIV/AIDS, preaches against the use of embryonic stem cell research, and the Pope views homosexuality as an "intrinsic moral-evil." The government supporting a religion is bad judgment enough, but to support a religion which preaches such ignorance is harmful.

The key message to take away from this event is how to use publicity to your advantage. When the media and public are focused on an event which is not of your own creation, for example, a papal visit, it is key to organize and hold your own events when necessary. Also, it is important to find allies to make your collective voice louder. For this event, Youth Against World Youth Day partnered with groups such as victims of priest sexual abuse. They took advantage of the situation to the fullest, resulting in much more media coverage on their cause. You can read some of the positive coverage they received at their website: http://youthagainstwyd.org/.

The University of Melbourne Secular Society is a proud member of the Secular Student Alliance. Their actions should inspire everyone to do their part to stand up for the rights of non-believers, including separating church and state for the benefit of both, and others who face discrimination in the face of religious intolerance, such as women and homosexuals.