JUST WHEN YOU THINK MAHONYFEST IS BAD...

...you should see the "Youth Day" festivities going on next month, planned by the bishops of England and Wales (RSCT to Damian Thompson).

Here are some highlights:

A "litany of penance" that asks God's forgiveness "For over-filling our kettles" (WTF???) and "For wasting paper" (The Music Issue comes to mind - making a new yearly issue to drop two or three good hymns like Christ is made the sure foundation and add new trash from Spirit and Song)

A prayer "that the tyranny of profit be quelled"

The distribution at Mass of Fairtrade chocolates wrapped in paper carrying an exhortation to switch to energy-saving lightbulbs (Please don't tell me this is in lieu of Holy Communion!)

Persuading the priest to wear a chasuble stitched together from recycled material (Double WTF???)

Damian adds:

This is during the Mass for the Solemnity of Christ the King. And its performance is not just permitted by the Bishops of England and Wales: it is suggested by them. These are the same bishops who would not dream of suggesting a Mass using the ancient Latin liturgy of the Catholic Church - indeed, who do everything in their power to block its celebration.

One final touch. At the offertory, bread and wine are brought to the altar to be consecrated by the priest. But Youth Sunday doesn't want to stop there. The organisers have some further suggestions for "gifts" to be presented at the altar. You can probably guess what they might be, but let me confirm your suspicions: "Energy saving lightbulbs, recycling containers, fairly traded goods..."

Pardon me while I call my friend.
RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALPH!

Peace,
BMP