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Have you ever seen a bunch of kids at a rock concert? Same phenomenon. It's called hero- worship. It has nothing to do with Catholicism. What was preached that was particularly Catholic at this World Youth Day? This is actually a dangerous, not a good, thing. It's called charisma and Hitler had it in spades. They wept for him, too. It has nothing to do with message. If it did, we'd see some carry-through. There isn't any.

ultima - the fighting fundie of Catholicism! (This is an observation, not a criticism)

Your comments reminded me of Protestant fundamentalists taking Billy Graham stadium crusades to task. However, with Graham Crusades there is a follow up plan to interview and counsel and disciple people who indicate an increased interest in spiritual things at the crusade.

I wonder if there was any follow-up planned for this event. I have served as a Graham crusade counselor supervisor and am familiar with the preparation and follow up they do.

My son just got back from WYD. On the drive back after I picked him up at the bus, he talked constantly about the message of the Gospel and redemption and so many other things that he knew as a Catholic but never really thought about. He's nineteen - "groupie age" you might say - but, believe me, he loves the Pope and was excited to say he was eight feet away but he didn't dwell on that. He came back talking about the catechesis, the fellowship, the excitement about being with others who were of the same faith as him. His love of his church and a desire to be a better Catholic. The Pope was an instrument to gather these young people together. They talked about JESUS and His love for them. The Pope simply reflects that and, in his human way, imitates it. You were not there. You have no right to judge these young people. You do not know what is in their hearts. I'd rather have my son listen to one who represents Christ on earth and teaches His word rather than some grunge rock group or heavy metal group. At least he - and a million others - know the difference. They are not stupid. They know the Pope is not Christ himself, and they know that he's not perfect. What he is, is an example, and he knows how important they are. After all, these young folks are the future of our church - especially so important to acknowledge in this time of crisis we are going through!

I sincerely hope you have a better day and shed some of what appears to be bitterness.

Have you ever seen a bunch of kids at a rock concert? Same phenomenon. It's called hero-worship. It has nothing to do with Catholicism. What was preached that was particularly Catholic at this World Youth Day? This is actually a dangerous, not a good, thing. It's called charisma and Hitler had it in spades. They wept for him, too. It has nothing to do with message. If it did, we'd see some carry-through. There isn't any.

In my observation, children are less easily fooled than adults. They respond to what is genuine, and do not rationalize away things they find "inconvenient," as many adults do. Yes, the Holy Father has charisma "in spades": the charism of Christ. Your comparison of John Paul II to Hitler, ultima ratio, is gratuitous and tendentious. IMHO. FWIW.

Before you accuse this holy man of being some kind of dangerous pied piper cynically misleading the innocents, it might be useful for you to read some of his books. You could start with Crossing the Threshold of Hope. As for the "carry through" of the Holy Father's message in the lives of these young people: Operations in the spirit are not things that you or I can directly observe. But in a world gone mad, people -- perhaps especially young people -- hunger for the sanity of eternal truths. Which you will find articulated in the referenced work, provided you have the eyes to see, the ears to hear. May the grace of God be with you.

Not the same at all. Have you been to a rock concert? I have many times. The spirit is the thing. The spirit of seeing the Pope and the spirit of a rock concert are day and night, life and death, if you will.

You'll no doubt be saying that the veneration of a saint is a cult of charisma, too, and comparing it to having a poster of Axl Rose on the wall?

What was preached that was particularly Catholic at this World Youth Day? This is actually a dangerous, not a good, thing. It's called charisma and Hitler had it in spades. They wept for him, too. It has nothing to do with message. If it did, we'd see some carry-through.

Those are your first words on this subject of WYD and you take the occasion to select Hitler as one who had charisma just as this Pope does. "Culture Wars" published a story by a priest that left the SSPX. He received death threats etc. He also told of a bizarre interaction with an infamous SSPX cleric who has an infatuation with Hitler.

Would you like me to get that story and post it?

It's called hero- worship. It has nothing to do with Catholicism.

I wonder why they followed Jesus? Did it have anything to do with the message or was it just Chrarisma. Or did they recognize the Truth when they saw it, even though they didn't understand it fully. Why did people, later, follow Peter and the other Apostles? Hero-worship? Or Truth? Why is anyone Catholic in these days? The Truth?

I don't think anyone can fully understand the Truth until God reveals it to them and once you have the Truth there is no where else to go and no one else to follow.

I'm definately not a groupie or a hero-worshiper and I'd probably faint if the Pope hugged me. I am in awe of the Grace that God has bestowed upon him and I would be proud to meet someone that God has favored so well.