In my previous update of the 2011 World youth Day news, I mentioned at the end of the post that we are hoping and praying that the World Youth Day won’t be too commercialized. It is because I noticed that the recent World Youth Day preparations in Madrid involves too much corporate sponsorship and tie-ups with various companies and commercial establishments like for example the Food for the registered pilgrims will be served by various fast food chains in Madrid including McDonalds. Now a group of 120 Spanish priests are criticizing Spanish Church leaders for allowing tie-ups and signing a list of high profile corporate sponsors for a visit by the Pope this coming 2011 World Youth Day. In a joint letter penned by the priests, they told Madrid Archbishop Cardinal Maria Rouco Varela that the corporate sponsorships reinforces the impression that the Catholic Church is very privileged. The priests said in an open letter:

“It’s been necessary to form a pact with the economic and political powers which reinforces the image of the church as a privileged institution, close to power, and the social scandal this implies, especially in the context of the economic crisis. To trust in the strength of power and money … is to give in to a temptation as old as the Church. No one can serve two masters. You cannot serve both God and money. The crisis has its origin in the banks’ and large groups’ uncontrolled desire for profits. We believe the Cardinal, concerned about the multi-million budget for the event, has chosen the worst collaborators.”

The Open letter was posted on Priests for Madrid Forum website. The Pope’s arrival in Madrid on August 18-21, 2011 is currently well advertised nationwide backed up by Spain’s multinational companies. The Archbishop of Madrid declined to comment.

The full and complete lists of corporate sponsors for Madrid World Youth day can be seen Here.