1507 Past Pupils Commonwealth Games chaplain
austraLasia #1507

'Old Boy' Catholic chaplain comments on Commonwealth Games
- and India dominates dying moments with gold


MELBOURNE: 28th March 2006 --  The 18th Commonwealth Games concluded Sunday in Melbourne.  Catholic Chaplain Fr Tony Doran, a Melbourne boy himself and Salesian Old Boy from Sunbury, said in interview that he had met 'some very faith-filled people' during the Games. 'In many ways, the Commonwealth is a microcosm of the whole world' he said.  Along with other faiths represented, which included not only Christian but Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Jew, Sikh, Bahai, Fr Doran made a point of wearing religious, in his case clerical, dress.  He said people approached him for many reasons, some wanting to pray before a major event,  some just wanting to chat or know when Mass was.
    The Commonwealth has 53 members, and 72 countries actually took part, so it is indeed a microcosm of the wider world.  One of the more spectacular moments at the Games came at the closing ceremony when Bollywood took over in preparation for the 2010 Games to be held in New Delhi.  With a billion population, half of them under 25, India will be a great host.  They showed that on Sunday evening  The evening started with the sound of shankhs and chimes filling the MCG as giant videoscreens showed images of India.  India's Miss World 1994, Aishwarya Rai at one stage popped out of rose petals to an adoring crowd.  She has obviously retained her poise these last twelve years!  The Indian extravaganza continued with golden rays unfurling around the stage to represent the sun in all its glory.

GLOSSARY
Shankh: Indian conch shell sometimes used in Indian music, strongly associated with Hindu religion, announces victory of good over evil.
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