Racetrack hurdle overcome on path to WYD Sydney '08

Earlier this week it was reported in Australian papers that the reservation of Randwick Racecourse for a Papal Mass during World Youth Day next year (with an estimated attendance of up to 600k people) was being legally contested by a training association that normally uses the racecourse. The racetrack had been previously used by John Paul II for a Mass of beatification in 1995.

Today, CNS is reporting that the dispute has been resolved and plans for using the racecourse are again proceeding as scheduled:

Disgruntled horse trainers withdrew a legal threat against the 2008 World Youth Day vigil and papal Mass at Royal Randwick Racecourse and agreed to work with the New South Wales government on a compensation package.

In principle, the trainers now have no objection to the events being at the racecourse, local media reported.

ABC Australia paints a slightly different picture, but agrees that the outcome of the dispute should be favorable to the WYD organizers:

The Australian Jockey Club is reportedly refusing to sign the agreement allowing the mass to be held there.

World Youth Day chief operating officer Danny Casey says he understands some trainers are upset that there will be closures at the race track for 10 weeks.

...

The Australian Jockey Club says it has no plans to stop the mass, despite refusing to sign off on the deal yesterday.

"It has to be resolved and I can assure you that neither the government nor the Catholic Church are going to be wanting to be seen to be putting people out of business," he said.

He [Danny Casey] says he is confident the parties will come to a deal.

So, as matters stand now, the racecourse will be used for the vigil and final Mass of WYD '08.

As for the location of the opening Mass, that is evidently still under wraps because the WYD planning community is "cautious of making any announcement" before things have been finalized, which is understandable considering the awkward situation which arose during the negotiations for the Randwick racecourse.

In other WYD news, "a defiant" Australian PM John Howard ruled out cancelling WYD and a meeting of APEC even though both events will be "security nightmares." Howard's statement was made in response to the recent series of failed terrorist bombings in London and some requests to reconsider hosting such high-profile events.

On the brighter side, WYD organizer Bp. Anthony Fisher is asking "Sydneysiders" to open up their homes and host up to 50,000 WYD pilgrims. The WYD website has more information. As a personal note, when I went to WYD '05 in Germany I was accomodated by two very generous host families during my pilgrimage and it was a wonderful experience of the local culture. If you are planning on attending WYD and have an opportunity to stay with a host family (instead of, for instance, being housed at a local Catholic school gym, etc.) - I say jump on it!