Pilgrimage to : Youth, Faith, and the Introduction

On Tuesday, July 23, 2002, Pope John will not soon forget. Focus Paul II landed at Toronto’s Pearson Throughout this week of intense In July 2002, hun- Airport to begin his week-long visit to religious activity, involving the largest dreds of thousands of young Roman Canada as part of the ’s single group of visitors Toronto has Catholics from 15th annual . Along ever hosted at one time, there was a around the world with the pontiff himself, hundreds of great deal of public and media discus- descended on thousands of young believers from all sion about its significance for the young Toronto to cel- over the world arrived in Toronto to pilgrims. At a time when the appeal of ebrate World participate in a week of spiritual re- organized religion is believed to be Youth Day with their spiritual newal and testimony to their faith. The waning among the young, the deep leader, Pope John events of World Youth Day began with spirituality and faith of the World Paul II. This News in a welcome led by Cardinal Youth Day pilgrims challenged this Review report , of notion. Considerable attention was examines the Toronto. Two days later, the Pope left given to the figure at the centre of the events and signifi- cance of this reli- his retreat at Strawberry Island, north of events, Pope John Paul II, the 82-year- gious encounter, Toronto, to receive a tumultuous wel- old leader of the world’s one billion the life and times come from his youthful followers at Catholics, a physically ailing but still of the Pope, and in downtown Toronto. mentally vigorous religious figure. some of the critical On Friday, the centre of the city was Would this be the Pope’s last World challenges the Catholic Church taken over by thousands of pilgrims Youth Day, given the precarious state confronts in the who re-enacted the Way of the Cross, of his health? What would his passing new millennium. commemorating the suffering and mean to the church he had led since crucifixion of Christ. This solemn 1978 with so much energy, firmness procession attracted a huge number of and determination? bystanders, both pilgrims and local In addition to concerns about the residents alike. The next day, the Pope Pope’s condition, there were also larger met with a number of dignitaries, issues facing the Roman Catholic including Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, Church that the events of World Youth Premier Ernie Eves, and Day brought into focus. In the months Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman, before before the observances, the Church was leading an evening prayer service at reeling from a series of child-abuse Park, a former air force allegations involving priests and other base in the north of the city. religious figures in the United States Downsview was also the venue for and other countries. There were strong the crowning and final event of World demands that the Pope address this Youth Day, the Papal Mass on Sunday issue. Critics both within and outside that attracted a crowd estimated at over Catholicism continued to raise objec- 700 000 people. On Monday, July 29, tions to the Pope’s steadfast resistance as the Pope departed for Mexico and to any suggestions that women be Guatemala, Toronto’s first-ever World ordained as priests, or that the Church Youth Day observances came to an end. modify its positions on birth control or It was an occasion both the throngs of homosexuality. At World Youth Day young pilgrims and the residents of itself, “Challenge to the Church,” a

CBC News in Review • September 2002 • Page 19 small but determined band of young Attendance at the event was less than Further Research Catholics critical of some of their Church officials had anticipated, and To add further perspective and Church’s stands, took the opportunity to the cost of organizing and staging detail to this raise some of these issues. World Youth Day left a deficit of some story, the use of Despite such concerns and criticisms, $30-million. However, it was clear that the following however, in to hundreds of thousands of eager Web site is recom- Toronto demonstrated to the city and young people who had participated in mended: the world the continuing appeal of the the week-long observances, spirituality www.vatican.va (the official Web aging pontiff to his devoted young follow- and religious faith were still matters of site of the Holy ers. When addressing the crowds, he profound significance. The charismatic See, the head- was frequently interrupted by spontane- figure of Pope John Paul II continued to quarters of the ous chants of “John Paul II, we love you!” serve as their focus and inspiration. Roman Catholic Church in , ). To Consider 1. Why was World Youth Day such an important event for Toronto and Canada?

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2. What concerns about the future of the Roman Catholic Church were raised in the context of World Youth Day?

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3. What are some of the major criticisms of the Roman Catholic Church that both believers and others have raised?

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4. What is your personal reaction to observing some of the events of World Youth Day?

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CBC News in Review • September 2002 • Page 20 Pilgrimage to Canada: Youth, Faith, and the Pope Video Review

1. In your own words, what is World Youth Day? For a detailed understanding of ______this story, watch ______the video and record answers to 2. What did Rev. Thomas Rosica, the organizer of World Youth Day, say the questions on this and the next about the significance of the event? page. ______

3. Whose idea was World Youth Day? ______Where was the first one held? ______

4. When and where was the biggest World Youth Day held? ______

5. How many people attended this year’s World Youth Day in Toronto? ______

6. What percentage of Canadian teens don’t identify with any religion but still believe in some kind of God? ______%

7. What percentage of Canadians belong to the a) Muslim faith ______% and b) Jewish faith _____%?

8. What percentage of young Canadians do not believe in God? ______%

9. How many attended the Papal Mass at ? ______

10. What important statement did the Pope make at this Mass? ______

11. Where is next year’s World Youth Day to be held? ______

12. Why was World Youth Day sometimes compared to a rock concert? Do you think this is an accurate comparison? Why/why not? ______

13. What you think was the most important aspect of World Youth Day? ______

CBC News in Review • September 2002 • Page 21 Reacting to Viewpoints Watch the video and carefully note 1. Kylie Ferguson, orthodox Catholic the viewpoints of 2. Gwyneth Lonergan, progressive Catholic the young people 3. Mandy Piper, raised as a Baptist Ben Chin of the CBC interviewed 4. Syed Raza, Muslim about their atti- 5. Sarah Babar-Nenzer, Jewish tudes toward God and religion. 6. Reuben Schwarz, atheist

1. With whom of the above do you most agree? Why?

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2. With whom of the above do you most disagree? Why?

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Form small groups to discuss and summarize your reactions to the view- points of these young people, and compare and contrast them to your own. Use the following questions to help focus your inquiry and discussion:

1. What big questions are on the minds of the young people inter- viewed?

2. What are their views about the answers religions provide to these big questions?

3. Why is religion important to most of the young people inter- viewed?

4. What are the main questions, doubts, or criticisms that the young people have regarding their own religion or other faiths?

5. What are the views of the young people interviewed regarding the future of their religious beliefs (or lack of them)?

As a group, develop your own reactions and responses to these questions and any other issues of importance arising from your discussion of the views of the young people Ben Chin interviewed in the video. Be prepared to share your thoughts with your peers.

CBC News in Review • September 2002 • Page 22 Pilgrimage to Canada: Youth, Faith, and The Pope The Life, Times, and Influence of Pope John Paul II

Childhood and Youth in involved in religious or political activi- Poland: On May 18, 1920, Karol ties, along with the country’s substan- Wojtyla, the son of an army officer and tial Jewish population, were especially his wife, was born in the Polish village targeted. Karol Wojtyla met Jan of Wadowice, near Krakow. He was a Tyranowski, a tailor and student of good student and was admitted to high religion, who exerted a profound influ- school at the age of 10. In 1929 his ence on his developing spirituality. He mother died, and in 1932 his brother led a double life during the war, work- died, leaving him with just his father. ing as a stonecutter in a local quarry by Wojtyla excelled in high school and day while participating in underground developed strong interests in languages, theatrical and political activities in the Polish history, philosophy, and drama. evening. On February 18, 1941, his He enrolled in the Philosophy faculty of father died, leaving a deep personal the prestigious Jagiellonian University void in his life. One year later, he made in Krakow in 1938, and joined a small the momentous decision to enter the theatre company. He completed his priesthood, at a time when the Roman compulsory military training in 1939, Catholic clergy in Poland were under but was exempted from service in the Nazi persecution. Adam Stefan army because he was a university Sapieha, the Archbishop of Krakow, student. On September 1, 1939, the was very impressed with the young armies of Nazi invaded cleric, and encouraged him in his Poland, and Second World War theological studies. In 1944, Wojtyla erupted. was struck by a German army truck and left to die. Fortunately, a woman in a The Trials of the Second World nearby streetcar came to his aid and War: The Nazi occupation of Poland saved his life. Later that year he was was harsh. Six million Poles out of a admitted to the priesthood, and in early total population of 30 million died. 1945 Russian troops liberated Krakow Professionals, intellectuals, and people from the Nazi occupiers.

Discussion 1 How would you characterize the future Pope John Paul II as a young person? What qualities marked him as a special individual during his youth?

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2. How did the Nazi occupation affect Karol Wojtyla in particular?

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CBC News in Review • September 2002 • Page 23 A Priest in Postwar Poland: form and modernize the Church, and he Shortly after the end of the Second was ordained Archbishop of Krakow in World War the pro-Soviet Polish Com- 1964 and Cardinal in 1967. During this munist Party formed the government. time, he urged Polish Catholics to Relations between the regime and the preserve their faith in the face of oppo- powerful Catholic Church were sition from the Communist regime strained, especially after the imprison- while avoiding outright confrontation. ment of Cardinal Wyszynski, a leading After an uprising in 1956, more moder- cleric. Between 1947 and 1949, Wojtyla ate Communist leaders came to power, studied theology in France, Belgium, and relations with the Church improved. Holland, and Italy, returning to earn a As the leading Polish Catholic cleric, from Jagiellonian University. Cardinal Wojtyla, spent a great deal of His thesis dealt with the life, times, and time at the Vatican while also visiting religious writings of the 16th-century many countries as a papal representa- Spanish mystic St. . tive. In 1969, he toured Canada, where Besides his pastoral responsibilities as a he met with local Polish communities in parish priest, he also taught courses in Toronto and other cities. In late 1970, ethics and other subjects at universities the Solidarity movement, an alliance of in Krakow and, later, Lublin. In 1958, workers, students, and others opposed at the age of 38, he was ordained to the Polish Communist regime, Bishop of Krakow in the city’s magnifi- pressed for reforms. Cardinal Wojtyla cent Wawel Cathedral, becom- lent his support to Solidarity, while ing the youngest bishop in Poland. refraining from endorsing any actions that might result in violent conflict. Prelude to the Papacy: Bishop During the 1970s, he traveled, lectured, Wojtyla’s rise through the ranks of the and published books on religious and Catholic hierarchy was rapid, as he philosophical issues. In August 1978, impressed many with his intelligence, Pope Paul VI died, and was succeeded dedication, personal charisma, and by John Paul I, an Italian cardinal. commitment to his faith. He played a However, died sud- key role in the deliberations of the denly in late September, and a second (1962-65) conclave of cardinals was convened at convened by Pope John XXIII to re- the Vatican to name yet another pope. Discussion 1. What was Karol Wojtyla’s position as a Roman Catholic clergyman regarding the anti-religious policies of Poland’s new Communist regime after the Second World War?

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2. What qualities did Wojtyla bring to his religious activities that marked him as an individual destined to rise in the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church?

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CBC News in Review • September 2002 • Page 24 John Paul II, the New Pope: On and other religious figures to engage in Did You Know . . . October 16, 1978, a vast throng of political action against the Communist Pope John Paul II 200000 people anxiously awaited the regime. However, he strongly opposed made two other announcement of the new pope in St. similar political activism among Latin trips to Canada, in 1984 and 1987? Peter’s Square, Rome. The cardinals American Catholic clergy who em- chose Karol Wojtyla to assume the braced the doctrine of “liberation throne of St. Peter as the 264th pontiff. theology,” a combination of Christian He became the first Polish pope, and the and Marxist beliefs that championed the youngest in over a century. During his cause of the poor and justified opposi- tenure, he established a number of tion to capitalism. important precedents. He was the first On May 13, 1981, while circling St. pope to preach in a Protestant church Peter’s Square, Pope John Paul II was and a Muslim mosque, to visit a Jewish seriously wounded in an assassination synagogue, and to lead joint prayer attempt. A young Turkish man, Mehmet services with non-Catholics in St. Ali Agca, was immediately seized and Peter’s Basilica. He traveled to over charged with attempted murder. There 140 countries and has been seen in were allegations that Agca was an agent person by more people than any other of the Bulgarian secret police, and that figure in history. He addressed crowds his attempt on the Pope’s life was of the faithful in their own languages, linked to John Paul II’s anti-commu- speaking eight fluently himself. His nism, but these charges were never appointment coincided with the height substantiated. The Pope made a remark- of the Cold War, a period of serious able recovery from near-fatal wounds tension and potential conflict between and resumed his normal papal responsi- the United States and the Soviet Union. bilities after a six-week convalescence. Pope John Paul II’s record as a staunch By the end of the 1980s the Cold War opponent of the Polish Communist was over, as the communist regimes of regime made him a natural ally of U.S. Eastern Europe, and eventually the President Ronald Reagan. In 1981 the Soviet Union itself, collapsed. The Pope spoke out repeatedly against the Pope’s role in these momentous events imposition of martial law in his native was crucial, as former Soviet leader country designed to crush the Solidarity Mikhail Gorbachev and others attest. movement. He encouraged local priests

Discussion 1. Why was the Pope viewed as an ally of anti-communist forces led by the United States during the period of the Cold War?

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2. Why do you think the Pope supported political activism among Roman Catholics in his native Poland, but not in other places, such as Latin America?

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CBC News in Review • September 2002 • Page 25 The Aging Pontiff: The Pope tive positions regarding any proposals survived the attempt on his life, but the for reform in the doctrines and hierar- would-be assassin’s bullet eventually chy of the Church itself. He opposes the took its toll, along with other ailments ordination of women to the priesthood, including a serious hip fracture and the refuses to consider lifting the vow of onset of the debilitating Parkinson’s celibacy by allowing priests to marry, disease. But declining health has done and rejects any efforts to modify nothing to slow down the pace of his Catholicism’s condemnation of birth papal activities, and he continues to control and homosexuality. At the same travel widely, preaching a mixture of time, he strives to make the Church conservative social values and an more relevant to young people, and in increasingly critical position regarding 1986 inaugurated the first World Youth global economic issues. With the fall of Day in Rome. This annual observance communism, the Pope turned his atten- of religious faith and commitment tion to other issues, such as the growing continues to attract huge crowds, reach- gap between the world’s rich and poor, ing over two million in Rome in 2000 the indebtedness of Third World na- and 750 000 in Toronto in 2002. As the tions, and the rising global influence of Pope’s health continues to decline, a materialistic North American culture there is increasing speculation that he that celebrates consumerism and imme- might consider retiring from his posi- diate personal gratification. tion to permit a new pontiff to succeed The Pope speaks out forcefully on him while he is still alive. While there these matters, gaining him some support are historical precedents for such a among progressive social activists. But move, no previous pope has ever volun- he also maintains his strongly conserva- tarily abdicated his office.

Discussion 1. In what ways could the Pope be viewed as a critic of both commu- nism and capitalism? Why are his positions on economic and social issues sometimes considered contradictory?

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2. How has the Pope tried to make Catholicism more relevant to the world today, especially to young people?

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3. In your view, should the Pope retire? Explain.

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CBC News in Review • September 2002 • Page 26 Pilgrimage to Canada: Youth, Faith, and the Pope The Papal Homily of July 28, 2002

“You are the salt of the earth! You ately needs a new sense of brother- Document are the !” hood and human solidarity. It is a Study world that needs to be touched and This is an abridged Dear Young People of the Seven- healed by the beauty and richness of version of the teenth World Youth Day, God’s love. It needs witnesses to that homily, or sermon, love. The world needs salt. It needs that Pope John you—to be the salt of the earth and Paul II delivered at On a hillside near the lake of the light of the world. the Papal Mass held Galilee, Jesus’ disciples listened to at Downsview Park, his gentle and urgent voice, as in Toronto, on July gentle as the landscape of Galilee Salt is used to preserve and keep. As 28, 2002, marking itself, as urgent as a call to choose apostles for the Third Millennium, the culmination of between life and death, between your task is to preserve and keep the World Youth truth and falsehood. The Lord spoke alive the awareness of the presence Day observances. words of life that would echo for- of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. .␣ .␣ . you His remarks were ever in the hearts of his followers. must keep alive the memory of the especially intended words of life he spoke, the for the hundreds of marvelous works of mercy and thousands of young Today he is speaking the same goodness he performed. You must pilgrims in the words to you, the young people. crowd that day. .␣ .␣ .␣ Listen to the voice of Jesus in the constantly remind the world of the depths of your hearts! His words tell power of the to save. you who you are as Christians. They tell you what you must do to remain Salt seasons and improves the fla- in his love. vour of food. Following Jesus, you have to change and improve the But Jesus offers one thing, and the taste of human history. With your “spirit of the world” offers another faith, hope, and love, with your .␣ .␣ .␣ the “spirit of the world” offers intelligence, courage, and persever- many false illusions and parodies of ance, you have to humanize the happiness. There is perhaps no world we live in. .␣ .␣ . Even a tiny darkness deeper than the darkness flame lights the heavy lid of night. that enters young people’s souls How much more light will you make, when false prophets extinguish in all together, if you bond as one in them the light of faith and hope the communion of the Church. If and love. The greatest deception, you love Jesus, love the Church! Do and the deepest source of unhappi- not be discouraged by the sins and ness, is the illusion of finding life by failings of some of her members. excluding God, of finding freedom The harm done by some priests and by excluding moral truths and per- religious among the young and sonal responsibility. vulnerable fills us all with a deep sense of sadness and shame. But The Lord is calling you to choose think of the vast majority of dedi- between these two voices compet- cated and generous priests and ing for your souls. That decision is religious whose only wish is to serve the substance and challenge of and do good! There are many World Youth Day. .␣ .␣ .␣ the world you priests, seminarians, and consecrated are entering is a world that desper- persons here today; be close to them

CBC News in Review • September 2002 • Page 27 and support them! And if, in the lived through much darkness, under depths of your hearts, you feel the harsh totalitarian regimes, I have same call to the priesthood or conse- seen enough evidence to be crated life, do not be afraid to fol- unshakably convinced that no diffi- low Christ on the royal road of the culty, no fear is so great that it can Cross! At difficult moments in the completely suffocate the hope that Church’s life, the pursuit of holiness springs eternal in the hearts of the becomes even more urgent. And young. You are our hope, the young holiness is not a question of age, it is a are our hope. matter of living in the Holy Spirit. .␣ .␣ . Do not let that hope die! Stake your You are young, and the Pope is old. lives on it! We are not the sum of Eighty-two or 83 years of life is not our weaknesses and failures, we are the same as 22 or 23. But the Pope the sum of our Father’s love for us still fully identifies with your hopes and our real capacity to become the and aspirations. Although I have image of his Son.

Document Analysis 1. What is the “urgent call” the Pope delivered to the young people hearing his homily at the Papal Mass held at Downsview Park?

2. What does the Pope mean by the phrase “the spirit of the world”? Why does he think young people should reject it in favour of the voice of Jesus Christ?

3. Why are the expressions “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” that the Pope employs in this homily so effective in conveying his message to young people?

4. To what recent scandal in the Catholic Church does the Pope briefly refer in this homily? What does he say to the young people about it?

5. In your own words, briefly summarize what you think are the most important points the Pope makes to young people in this homily.

6. Although the Pope’s message is specifically directed at young Christians, what parts of it (if any) do you think could equally apply to young people who embrace other religious faiths (or none)?

7. Write a paragraph expressing your views on the Pope’s message to young people and how you would respond to it.

CBC News in Review • September 2002 • Page 28 Pilgrimage to Canada: Youth, Faith, and The Pope Point:Counterpoint

Indicate whether you agree or disagree and why. Here is a selection of divergent opin- 1. “I don’t think of those common adolescent bouts with religion as simply part of ions on the signifi- a phase of youthful idealism, which will inevitably vanish. I’d call adolescence, cance of World Youth Day, the instead, a privileged state in which you first grow aware that you are part of more Pope’s visit to than your family or peer group: you belong to your society, to history, even to the Canada, and cur- cosmos. . . . You realize you, too, can make your contribution. No wonder the Pope rent issues facing and other duffers say they are inspired by “the youth”; it’s so easy to lose the the Catholic Church, freshness of those connections. That’s why I find the stress on the person of the drawn from a variety of media Pope disturbing. It undermines that emergent adolescent sense of autonomy and commentators. control. It’s no more attractive than any modern personality cult.” — Rick Salutin, columnist and broadcaster Agree ____ Disagree ____

Why? ______

2. “Criticism that a church (any church) is out of step with modern values is particulary short-sighted. It’s arrogant to assume that, having nosed our way into the 21st century, we’ve suddenly reached the pinnacle of human understanding. It’s a conceit to treat ‘modern’ as an ultimate state, not just another word for the present. What’s modern today may be obsolete tomorrow. Fashion, music, and cars reflect the constant changes and shifts required to stay up-to-date. . . . The Pope stands tall not because he changed, but because he’s had the courage to remain constant. That’s precisely why his message will remain relevant and have staying power.” — Guy Giorno, lawyer and former Conserative political advisor Agree ____ Disagree ____

Why? ______

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3. “It is hard to imagine anything more political . . . than the Catholic Church, which exercises enormous clout in the lives of people all over the world—particu- larly women. It is an institution run by old men, most of them who seem to have an almost pathological determination to keep women out of positions of power, not to mention to deny them any kind of control over their reproductive capacities. . . . ” — Linda McQuaig, political commentator Agree ____ Disagree ____

Why? ______

CBC News in Review • September 2002 • Page 29 4. “What makes hundreds of thousands of young people scream and weep over a sick old man? To some, the fuss over the Pope in Toronto is just a cult of personal- ity, no more profound than the mass adoration of totalitarian dictators or overpaid rock stars. But that’s obvious nonsense. No coercive state is forcing young people to worship the Pope. Nor are they drawn by simple stage presence. Whatever skill the Pope had as a performer has been sadly eroded by his ailments. No, the out- pouring of affection is spontaneous, and wholly remarkable. No political leader, no musician or sports hero, can command such attention. . . . Everyone is drawn to true greatness, and John Paul II is quite simply the greatest man alive. . . . Long before he came to Canada, he had established himself as a figure of surpassing courage, vision, and humanity.” — Marcus Gee, columnist and broadcaster Agree ____ Disagree ____

Why? ______5. “As Supreme Pontiff John Paul has been one of the most paradoxical figures of the 20th century. A fierce champion of freedom, he has suppressed debate on controversial Church teachings. He has been an intensely political Pope—support- ing the Solidarity trade movement in Poland and stressing the dignity of men and women on the one hand, but forbidding priests in Latin America from engaging in politics. He wrote evocatively on women’s equality and has been devoted to the Virgin Mary, but entrenched doctrine that says the Church does not have the au- thority to ordain women to the priesthood. Some see John Paul as a visionary; to others he is unbending and out of step in a changing world. Some focus on his teachings on sexual ethics, and have been alienated. But by rejecting his teachings outright, they miss his broader messages on justice, human rights, redistribution of wealth, rights of workers and clemency for prisoners, and his belief in the gifts found in God’s boundless love. During a time marked by genocide and the threat of nuclear war, he preached and practised the virtue of forgiveness.” — Leslie Scriv- ener, faith and ethics reporter Agree ____ Disagree ____

Why? ______

CBC News in Review • September 2002 • Page 30 Pilgrimage to Canada: Youth, Faith, and the Pope WebQuest

Exploring the Roman Catholic Church through the Vatican Web Site Working with a partner or in small groups, consult the official Web site for the Holy See (Roman Catholic Church) at www.vatican.va and prepare a brief written/oral report on the information you obtained from the site on one of the following topics:

a) the organization and structure of the Church (e.g. the , College of Cardinals, etc.). b) Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica c) history of the Roman Catholic Church d) biographies of past e) past World Youth Days f) statements of Pope John Paul II on major religious, ethical, and social issues g) the Vatican Museums, Library, and Secret Archives h) how a new pope is elected i) other (consult with your teacher)

Before you start your WebQuest, be sure to establish the following with your teacher:

• due date • length • format • evaluation criteria • mark value

Additional Notes:

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CBC News in Review • September 2002 • Page 31