BishopAccountability.org
	Burning Question By Neil Ormerod Herald Sun July 22, 2008 http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24056720-5000117,00.html DESPITE my own apprehensions, the overall organisation and executionn of the World Youth Day week was excellent. It went off without a major hitch and much of the credit for this must go to Bishop Anthony Fisher and the team gathered around him. The event has generated significant goodwill and warm feeling from the youth for the church and its leadership. But time will tell if this translates into a lasting shift in attitude towards the church. There was great affection demonstrated for the Pope by young people, but it is less clear that they heard his message of the crucial importance of the institutional structures of the church. The biggest glitch was undoubtedly the handling of the media in relation to the sexual abuse issue. I would have hoped that the church leaders would be media-savvy enough to have prepared a response to those who took this opportunity to raise abuse scandals. Instead, they appeared to be caught off guard, leaving the impression that they still don't "get it". In his defence, it should be noted that Bishop Fisher's remarks about dwelling on old wounds were directed at the style of media reporting -- not the victims. Yet despite the difficulties he encountered with the media locally, I have no doubt this will enhance his reputation in Australia and also that of Cardinal George Pell on the international stage. Getting World Youth Day in Sydney was an achievement - making it an international success was a major triumph. Neil Ormerod is a professor of theology, Australian Catholic University
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