Is it just me or does anyone else find the making Mary Mackillop a saint thing a bit silly and irritating?
It seems to me that catholic Australia's sainthood circus is an invitation for millions of people to fly into irrationality and emotionalism. This has nothing to do with spirituality.
If i see or hear right wing elites like Tim Fischer or Alan Jones again pontificationg about Mary and about how 'Australia has now got its own Saint' i think i will barf'.
The reaction to Mary being made a saint seems no different than Australia making the soccer world cup, hosting the Olympics or winning the America's cup. The reaction of Catholic Australians seemed to have more to do with nationalism and celebrity than spirituality. Indeed the SMH reported that during the weekend's canonisation ceremony......"In between angelic singing and the ringing of church bells, there was another sound echoing around St Peter's Square on Sunday: Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi."....Australian and Aboriginal flags were dotted throughout the crowd, some pilgrims adorned themselves in fake tattoos representing the Aussie flag, and the Sisters of St Joseph in their bright blue scarves waved Mary MacKillop balloons. Sister Jeanette from Sydney and Sister Mary from Adelaide said they were thrilled to hear the cries of Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi and also Mary Mary Mary, Oi Oi Oi. "Isn't that fun? Join in!," Sister Jeanette said.Oh those whacky Catholic kids!
Why take a great and practical legacy like Mackillops life and politicise it, twist it into some sort of mystical, mythical 'other' and imbue Mary Mackillop with celebrity cult status?
I prefer to say that Mackillop was a good person who led a good life without buying into the miracle smiracle mumbo jumbo.
I may have to turn the radio and TV off over the next few days.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment