Not quite sure if Catherine Ransom realises how far Sydney is from Cairns ... and the fact that the children visiting will have no money to spend, especially on flights to destinations 2,000 km+ away!!

How about the church sells some of its prime real estate to feed the hungry? Or compensate the indigenous people who suffered at the hands of missionaries? $230 million would go a long way to that cause.

A Catholic, Sydney,

Peter you seriously saying Sydney needs more rain? It rains loads here, the problem is retaining it. Take today, pouring non-stop for about 5hrs. Worse than being back in Manchester.

Declan O'Boyle, Sydney, Australia

"The New South Wales economy will receive a $231 million boost from the hosting of World Youth Day, the Sydney Chamber of Commerce has calculated" from the Sydney Morning Herald. (8April) Complaining about the cost is a furphy for old fashioned bigotry. In a world where young people are killing themselves by the hundreds, spun out on drugs... record levels of depression ... this event, and similar 'feel good', "look at the Big Picture of Life" events, may in fact be life saving to many young people, and a visible sign of hope to others. I expect that the complaining and anti-Catholic, anti-religion, anti-faith voices will grow over the coming months, but hopefully people of good will, will recognise an opportunity for young people to look at life differently, if only for the weeks surrounding this event. By the way, here in Cairns we are expecting 10,000 kids before and similar afterwards. Every hotel is full, every charter boat booked. Great for our local economy!

Catherine Ransom, Cairns, Australia

Have to agree with Peter of The Emerald City. I cannot believe the people of Sydney are once again allowing their amenity to be denied. Recently George Bush was there, kind of. George wasn't sure if he was in Australia or Austria, and wether it was for Apec or Opec. The security was over the top, with one respectable accountant being assaulted by four police for trying to cross a main city thoroughfare. Once again, residents will be restricted in their movements whilst a comparative few relive the angst and celebrate their guilt.

Don, Byron Bay, Australia

Let's hope the nuns get the right briefing regarding the weather, because what we need is lots and lots of rain. As for the cost, I wonder if our Catholic Premier would find public funds for a gathering of athiests. I doubt it, we don't have the same clout. I'm looking forward to the 'Moonies' being given carte blanche access to the Harbour Bridge for a mass wedding ceremony next year. This all being brought to us by a State Governement that couldn't run a chook raffle in a pub!

Peter, Sydney, Australia