THE headline “Popemania” (The Border Mail, July 18), the new word to enter our vocabulary, aptly describes the contagious excitement and hubris surrounding World Youth Day.

“The greatest single event (apart from the Olympics) in Sydney’s history” is a frequently heard accolade, a stunning exercise in organisation with results, to date, even exceeding the planners’ highest expectations.

And not a condom in sight.

But when the tumult and shouting dies down, when the army of pilgrims departs, what then?

Inspiring and spectacular the WYD may have been, but it will be the outcome that will prove to be the measure of success.

Of course, everyone knows that beneath Pope Benedict’s beaming exterior beats a steely conservative heart and amid the speeches, platitudes and the tiresome sight of pollies jostling each other to touch the hem of the pontiff’s garment, he remains a man implacably opposed to reform.

And yet, many thoughtful, loyal Catholics still nurse hopes their beloved church will someday re-assess its anachronistic teaching on several vexatious and divisive issues which are causing deep angst among the faithful.

Will these pious hopes be dashed?

In the short term, many are praying for a revival of interest in religion, and I don’t just mean a few lapsed Catholics un-lapsing themselves.

The church will hope for a surge of energising spirituality to counter the rising secularisation of Australian society and the attitude of indifference to organised religion displayed by our youth.

I suspect the entrenched conservatism of the Catholic hierarchy will remain an impediment to the achievement of these goals and the policy of promptly crushing dissent exercised by Rome’s inflexible guardians of the faith hardly encourages hopes for change.

This has been a truly astonishing week, a time for youth from around the world to witness their exuberant faith to each other and to those of other religions, or none.

My hope is the goodwill and affection engendered by WYD will flourish in future years, helping to create a Christianity of compassion, understanding and acceptance of every member of the human family, whatever their individual creed happens to be, regardless of race, culture or sexuality.

— DAVID MILAN,

Wodonga