Off to see the pope? No tailgating, please
Britons planning to attend open-air services by Pope Benedict XVI next month have been told it's OK to bring a picnic — but leave the wine at home, the Associated Press reports.
Organizers of the pontiff's visit released a detailed list Monday of what is allowed and barred from two large-scale gatherings.
Sunscreen, banners, flags, cushions and folding chairs are all permitted, and people are encouraged to bring a "pilgrim picnic."
But barbecues, candles, musical instruments, pets and alcohol are banned because they "could pose a threat to yourself or others."
Some 80,000 people are expected to attend a Sept. 18 prayer meeting in London's Hyde Park, and 65,000 a Mass in Birmingham's Cofton Park the next day.
The four-day trip is the first papal visit to Britain since 1982.
Comments
No musical instruments? Are they afraid Pete Townshend will smash a guitar over somebody's head? Or that a highland regiment of skirling bagpipers will come along to foment an insurrection?
Posted by: Camille Quelquejeu | August 23, 2010 4:50 PM
Dear Camille,
Well, the problem is more complex behind the prohibition. They discovered that the guitars used by Catholics to sing music about Eagles Wings and Earthen Vessels actually become negatively charged, such that if many were brought together in one place a black hole will open up. In such a case the Church would finally have to acknowledge that it's music in recent times is the work of an entropic gremlin. Further, they would have to recognize that their minds have inexorably rotted thereby.
Posted by: Cultural Historian | August 23, 2010 6:01 PM
Hey the pope will not be upstage by anyone , some of his followers might have a thought of their own and realize what a side show this is.
Posted by: kwolf443 | August 23, 2010 11:06 PM
We are two happily married gay Catholic saints. We are planning to go see the Holy Father and have used our frequent flyer miles to make the trip from Ancient Christianstan to give His Holiness our petition. We need his help. We are the patron saints of one Thomas Peters who runs the American Papist blog. In fact we are his de facto guardian angels. But he tries to ignore us. We are always suggesting nice clean- cut fellows that he might want to date. We say "Thom you can be holy, and happy too. Check out that guy with the wavy hair, he is always in that same pew at Saint Patrick's. He looks sweet. You could be happy. Imagine a cute house for the two of you in Hyattsville. The two of us are very happy in Heaven together. You will never guess who finally came out after all these centuries--- Joan of Arc. She actually said to us "You knew??!!"
We said, "Sweetheart, just a little bit!"
Posted by: Saints Sergius and Bacchus | August 24, 2010 4:37 PM
Oh come on silly saints! Joan of Arc exclaiming “You knew!” is as silly as Truman Capote doing the same. Of course we knew, that's why we love them.
Posted by: Dana LaRocca | August 25, 2010 3:55 AM
We may be silly saints, but we are happy, and very close to God. We want to recommend, especially to our special charge Thom, a lovely site with our picture on it. Who knows, Thom, the blogger might be cute and perhaps boyfriend material! He is clearly close to the faith. Here he is:
http://confessionsofagaycatholic.wordpress.com.
Posted by: Saints Sergius and Bacchus | August 25, 2010 7:36 PM
Aw, what a lovely couple.
Posted by: Cardinal Mazarin | August 25, 2010 11:35 PM