Catholic Church Conservation

Feast of Pentecost

2012-05-27T09:42:00.000+02:00

Video of Vatileaks suspect

2012-05-25T20:58:00.000+02:00

On the left front of the Pope's automobile. Beginning to hear the idea that he has been set up. What on earth would be his motive?

Arrest in Vatican of Papal Chamberlain in Vatileaks Scandal

2012-05-25T19:02:00.001+02:00

Medien: Päpstlicher Kammerherr im "Vatileaks"-Verdacht – kipa/apic

The suspect in connection with the "Vatileaks" scandal should act according to Italian media is a servant of the Pope. Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi did not want to identify the man arrested on Friday by the Vatican police.

Previously he had said that the Vatican were investigating "a person in unauthorized possession of confidential documents" . The man was in custody will be interrogated by the Attorney General of the Vatican State, Nicola Picardi.

Since the beginning of the year, a number of confidential letters which were addressed to the Pope and signed by him, had been published by the Italian media. In the past week, the Italian TV journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi published a book titled "Sua Santita" , evaluating the hundreds of secret Vatican documents and documents in whole or in part. In April, Benedict XVI had appointed a panel of three retired cardinals to a commission of inquiry, and provided them with far-reaching powers to investigate the breach of confidentiality. See also Vicious Power Struggle in the Vatican

Exhibition of crucified pigs in church cancelled despite support from Jesuit

2012-05-25T18:26:00.000+02:00

Sankt Peter und die Schweine - Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger

Shortly before its 25th Anniversary Year, the Art-Station Saint Peter in Cologne cancelled an exhibition. The reason- pigs that were nailed to the Cross were to be seen in two pictures of an Austrian artist (who comes from near to Linz, whose inhabitants seems to specialise in this sort of thing, not least the Shrine of Judas).

On 29th June, the Art-Station Saint Peter celebrates its 25th anniversary, but certainly now it has increased audience attention. At short notice, the exhibition, planned for 25th May, by the Austrian painter Siegfried Anzinger (right) was cancelled by long-time curator of the Art Station, Guido Schlimbach (left)

Schlimbach feared that two of the 18 images which showed crucified pigs in the sacred space of the church would lead to misunderstandings and may interfere with the religious peace of the parish community.

The images are from the Jerome Cycle- the picture of St Jerome,

And for comparison

In discussion with the "Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger", Schlimbach said that he found the decision, which was taken jointly with Father Werner, very difficult. The reason that he invited Siegfried Anzinger to St. Peter, is that he had used many times before biblical motifs almost without ceasing, and he wanted to see how the Art Station audience, who are familier with mainly abstract works of art, would react. For the crucifixion of "an almost sweet Piglet," said Schlimbach, he was not prepared, adding: "I'm afraid that I would be under great pressure to give an explanation to the community"

To the objection that he must have known what he was associating himself with, Schlimbach replied:

"Siegfried Anzinger has specifically designed the painting for the Art Station and painted it in the last four to five weeks," and he also had expected the motive of the crucified pig to be with linked to the flesh and blood imagery of Hermann Nitsch. In the pig as shown, he could not in any case recognize the oppressed creature that Anzinger had in mind. "But you must say that to the artist's face."

In the meantime, Father Friedhelm Mennekes SJ, founder and long-time director of the Art Station Sankt Peter has also commented to the newspaper about the cancelling of the exhibition. He pointed to the rich tradition of the crucifixion motif, to the derision that Christianity once had suffered through the representation of a crucified donkey, and also to the "Jewish pig" in Cologne Cathedral. All these elements played into Anzingers work- he himself had exhibited a butterfly crucified by Markus Lüpertz in St. Peter's. "I hope that the cancellation was not a case of anticipatory obedience to ecclesiastical authority," said Mennekes in conclusion. (Cathcon- no wonder the Jesuits are the worst hit of the orders after the Council. They were set up on army lines by St Ignatius with a specific oath of obedience to the Pope. Now they are a bunch of ecclesiastical anarchists no longer of capable of fighting)

It is precisely this fear Guido Schlimbach tried to dispel when talking to the "Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger" . The Art Station is after all not an art hall, but a house of God: "We derive life from the whole life of the community." A crucified pig in oil next to a crucifix is not easy in this context - and as Anzinger totally refused to compromise, the cancellation could not be avoided. "I'm sure," said Schlimbach, "Mennekes would not have put on the exhibition." (Cathcon- see his comments above which go in the opposite direction.)

Herr Anzinger's other work includes the Annunciation

For comparison

And the Madonna

For comparison

His Our Lady of the Blue Jumper

It is not as if they do not know what real art is- a Madonna in the possession of the parish

St Peter's Church in Cologne is indeed half a church and half a permanent installation of hyper-modern art. Some scenes of parochial life.

Mass

Communion vessels

Mass getting out of hand

You know you are among modernists, when they meet under the Banner of the Bar Code.

For comparison a banner based on Raphael's Banner of the Cross

Mass really got out of hand- or is it an art installation?

Mini-Stealth priestesses in training

The Jewish Mezuzah attached to the entrance door

Pretending to be a synagogue is not the only pretension around here.

Their principal altar

Their old principal altar- now in a side aisle

The altar in its original position- Oil Barrel Mass

And in its old position again- under threat from headless zombies

On another altar, instead of the Cross, the distorting mirror of modernism

Batty exhibition in the ambulatory

Modernism has filled the church with straw

Or feathers blown about in the wind

(provided by the small fans at the base, I think)

Or scaffolding that goes nowhere

Are they, in fact, under alien influence?

But

Don't Worry

The permanent illuminated sign on the tower

German city to sign treaty with its Muslim community

2012-05-25T11:47:00.001+02:00

Staatsvertrag mit Muslimen vor dem Abschluss? | NDR.de - Regional - Hamburg:
Treaty with Muslims before the final?

The Muslims want more co-determination on among other things, the religious education

In Hamburg, the text of a treaty with the Muslims is apparently nearing completion. This would place the Muslim communities on largely the same footing as the churches. All doubts have now been resolved by an expert report, as reported NDR 90.3 on Friday. The Hanseatic city would be the first with such a contract.

Expert report on Muslim organizations

This was inteneded to clarify whether the three major Muslim associations Shura (Council of Islamic Communities), DITIB (Turkish-Islamic Community) and the Association of Islamic Cultural Centres (VIKZ) are genuinely religious communities. That is, for example, if there is an active organization working to provide for young people and children. In a 100-page comprehensive analysis, seen by NDR 90.3, a professor of religious studies comes from the University of Bremen, Gritt Klinkhammer came to the conclusion that Islam is lived in all three communities.

The chairman of Ditib North, Zekariya Altug anticipates now an early signature of the treaty: "We expect a treaty in which we, as religious communities, are placed on par with churches recognized here in Hamburg, and especially in the field of religious education as equal partners in the shaping of it. " A common religious instruction will carry in as before in schools but in the future Muslims will also be co-responsible for this (Cathcon- not sure whether the common religious education being referred to is that for all pupils or just for the Muslim community- will check).

Von Beust had the idea

The City Senate Office says that the right track is being followed overall. A specific date for the signing of the treaty is not yet possible. Former Hamburg Mayor Ole von Beust (CDU) had in 2006 first made a public suggestion of such a treaty.

Cardinal- progressive Catholics can be just as anti-semitic as traditionalists

2012-05-25T11:21:00.001+02:00

Kardinal Koch: Jüdisch-christlicher Dialog darf nicht beliebig werden – kipa/apic

Jerusalem: Discussion evening on "Jewish-Catholic relations"

Cardinal Koch: Jewish-Christian dialogue must not become arbitrary

Jewish-Christian dialogue should not be in an increasingly inter-religiously oriented world become just one dialogue among many. Cardinal Kurt Koch said this at a meeting on the question of Jewish-Catholic relations in Jerusalem.

The relationship between Judaism and Christianity is unique in spite of its painful history, according to the Cardinal who is responsible for the relationship with Judaism. He also warned against repeatedly resurgent anti-Semitism. - Koch meets this week in the Holy Land, along with other church representatives, the representatives of Judaism.

With regard to the earliest times of conflict which had characterized relations, the Cardinal and President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, stated that the Second Vatican Council's adoption in 1965 of the Declaration "Nostra Aetate" had opened a new chapter in Jewish-Christian dialogue in which the common heritage is confirmed.

Persecution of Jews- do not blame the Church

Explicitly the Cardinal said that the persecution of Jews under the Nazis was not the fault of the Church. The Shoah was the "act of a godless, anti-Christian regime"; the desire of the Nazis was to abolish Christianity as well, as it was an offshoot of Judaism. At the same time Koch admitted that the Church's reaction to the Nazi persecution of Jews had been inadequate because of "widespread anti-Semitism."

Still according to Koch's assessment, anti-Semitic campaigns in the Catholic Church are always returning to the fore, and this came "not only from traditionalist circles, but to the same degree from liberal circles." As an example, the Cardinal gave the tendency to drop the Old Testament readings in Catholic worship. Christians should recognize that the Jewish reading of the Bible is one possible reading. The New Testament from a Christian perspective is the fulfilment of the Old Testament, but not its replacement.

Jewish conflict

David Bollag contradicted Koch's representation of a distance between Nazi ideology and the church. Between Nazi ideology and religious anti-Judaism, there is a close connection,said the Rabbi who teaches at the Institute for Jewish-Christian Studies (IJCF) in Lucerne. "If this had not been the case, the Council's Declaration Nostra Aetate` would not have been considered necessary. '

Bollag also expressed criticism of the current backward-oriented movements in the Catholic Church. In particular, the reinstatement of the Good Friday prayer for the Jews is painful from a Jewish perspective. At the same time, Judeo-Christian dialogue since the beginning of the Second Vatican Council (1962) has made enormous progress, not least because of "Nostra Aetate," which commits both parties to dialogue.

Significant changes since 1945

Mordechai Piron, a former Israeli military chief rabbi and president of the co-organizing "Israeli-Jewish Council for Interreligious Relations" (IJCIR) stressed in his speech the noticeable changes in Jewish-Christian relations since the end of World War II. The church had taken a new attitude to the Jewish people, since the Shoah so that after a long history of insecurity and persecution a positive and fruitful dialogue between the Church and Jews now has been possible.

The Jewish appreciation of Christianity was emphasized by Rabbi David Rosen, in his concluding remarks. In particular, the "dark cloud over the Jewish-Christian dialogue, as they draw in the media", the adviser to the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and International Director of the "American Jewish Committee" held to be wrong: "In a clear way, Pope Benedict XVI goes further than his predecessor in his efforts to improve relations with the Jewish people. Benedict XVI has taken the initiatives of Pope John Paul II to a higher level.

Despite reports, Cardinal will not or cannot ban leading dissident from his diocese

2012-05-24T18:49:00.001+02:00

Erzbistum: Kardinal verbietet Auftritt Gaillots in Köln nicht | Nachrichten - domradio.de
Archdiocese: Cardinal does not prohibit the appearance of Gaillot in Cologne

The Archdiocese of Cologne denied a newspaper report that Cardinal Joachim Meisner would ban an appearance in Cologne by the French bishop Jacques Gaillot compulsory retirement would ban in Cologne. The report in the "Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger" (Tuesday) was denied by Archdiocese spokesman Christopher Heckeley on Monday . He confirmed, however, a letter from the Vicar General of Cologne, Stefan Heße to Gaillot saying that Meisner was "surprised" that he had not been informed in advance of Gaillot's appearance. Gaillot, who has criticized the church's stance on celibacy, artificial contraception and homosexuality was in 1995 relieved by Pope John Paul II of the leadership of the diocese of Evreux. In 2004, he was prevented from attending by Meisner an event in the town of St. Kilian in Erftstadt. On Thursday, the Cologne Karl Rahner Academy has invited Gaillot for an interview with journalist Ulrich Harbecke from Erftstadt on "the Gospel and the Modern". According to Heckeley, Heße recalled in his letter the correspondence between Meisner and Gaillot in 2004. Gaillot had expressed his respect for ecclesiastical regulations, that he might not appear in a strange diocese without the consent of the local bishop. Meisner was now even more amazed that he had learned by chance about the planned appearance of Gaillot on Thursday. Next Heckeley emphasized that there could not be any ban from the Archbishop, since Gaillot was not attending an institution of the Archdiocese. According to the "Stadt-Anzeiger", the 76-year-old Gaillot will still be coming to the discussion evening in Cologne. As a "retired bishop," he ought to be able to move freely anywhere in the world. In recent years he has worked as an author, pastor for marginalized groups and for a "virtual diocese" www.partenia.org which he founded. The "Karl Rahner Academy," was headed until 2009 by a Jesuit. In 2006, the Archdiocese of Cologne removed their financial support because of cost-cutting measures. Since then, the academy claims to be financially supported only by participants and volunteers, friends and sponsors.

SSPX begins libel proceedings in Germany

2012-05-24T17:51:00.003+02:00

Max Burger und die Piusbrüder: Ärger / Schon wieder ein Leserbriefschreiber angezeigt - Neue Rottweiler Zeitung Online. Nachrichten aus der Region Rottweil.

Cathcon-another round in the everlasting battle with the Green Party- in whatever country of Europe, they are always causing trouble for the SSPX. When the SSPX opened their church in Brussels, they organised mass demonstrations outside.

Max Burger and the SSPX: anger

It was only recently that a citizen of Rottweil had, because of a critical letter to the editor in the NRWZ, received a libel complaint from the Regional Council. Now, the City and District Council of Rottweil must also defend Max Burge because of a reader's letter.

Because he was angry over what he saw as completely uncritical reports in a local newspaper of a dedication of a Church of the ultra-conservative SSPX on the Sulgen, Burger had written a letter to the editor of the about the "Communion of Saints," as he called the SSPX. He has now received a criminal complaint from the German District Superior of the SSPX, Father Franz Schmidberger.

The Prosecutor's Office in Rottweil has begun preliminary proceedings, Burger has heard. In his letter to the editor the Green Party County Councilor Burger had commented on the arch-conservative ideology of the SSPX, and quotes the Catholic Freiburg moral theologian Prof. Eberhard Schockenhoff that the association is basically a "case for the constitutional protection authorities " as it disseminates " fascist, a former Nazi statements disseminated. "

Burger refers to the District Superior of the SSPX, Schmidberger, whom he attacked. According to Burger, thr SSPX have not done enough to dissociate themselves from SSPX member, Richard Williamson who has been convicted of race hatred and who denies the Holocaust and claims that '”the gas chambers are an invention”, writes Burger.

Schmidberger also compared the Prophet Muhammad to a child molester, said the accusation of Burger. Against these statements, Schmidberger has taken action as both are wrong. Both he and the SSPX had, in January 2009, distanced themselves from Williamson's statements. In a press release of 5 February 2009, he had withdrawn the term "child molester" in reference to the Prophet Mohammed expressing deep regret.

The Director of Public Prosecutions for Rottweil, Joachim Dittrich has written now to Burger: "Therefore, there is a suspicion that you ... against better judgement with respect to others have asserted or disseminated a fact that brings the same person contempt or disparagement in public opinion. "This is punishable as libel.

Burger has rejected the charges of libel from Schmidberger. In his hearing before the Public Prosecutor of Rottweil, he has declared that he knew that Schmidberger had distanced himself from Williamson's statement. However, Schmidberger on 6 February 2009 in the BWR program "Viewpoint Baden Württemberg " on the question of whether someone could be his brother in faith who denies the extermination of Jews by the Nazis responded: "As long as he recognizes the Catholic dogmas, yes, of course."

With regard to the "child molester" comparison of the District Superior, it is well known to him that Schmidberger backtracked, writes Burger. But Schmidberger does not distance himself sufficiently his actual testimony, because the member of the SSPX did not withdraw the use of the term because he found it to be incorrect or not clearly justifiable, but only "because this wording is capable of hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims”

In an interview with the SWR, Schmidberger had, the day after the news release full of regret, reiterated that "Mohamed had proven sexual relations with a girl of about eight or nine . This is known today as child molestation " Burger keeps to his statements.

Especially in the light of the current scandal surrounding the exposure of church dignitaries as child molesters, he considered "the spurious formulations with which the SSPX now wish to historically legitimate Schmidberger's molester comparison , possibly as a pathetic attempt to limit the damage," he boldly pours oil onto the fire.

Bishop Fellay on hotline to Vatican

2012-05-24T16:20:00.001+02:00

Priest uses Nurenburg Defence- I was only obeying the Cardinal's orders

2012-05-24T02:12:00.001+02:00

The Associated Press: Monsignor: Cardinal wanted accusers kept in dark:

"A Roman Catholic church official conceded that a 1994 list he compiled of 35 priests suspected of sexually abusing children in the Philadelphia archdiocese included some "pretty sick individuals."

Monsignor William Lynn took the stand in his own defense Wednesday in a groundbreaking child-endangerment and conspiracy case. Prosecutors blame Lynn for helping keep those priests and many more in ministry, where they were had access to countless other children.

Lynn testified that the head of the archdiocese forbade staff from telling accusers their alleged abuser had other victims."

The Cardinal indeed punished another priest for disobeying his orders in these matters.

See also vast documentation on systematic abuse within the Franciscan Order.

Hans Küng demands the Pope be deposed for schism if he reconciles the SSPX

2012-05-23T20:48:00.001+02:00

FREMDE FEDER · HANS KÜNG: Papst provoziert Ungehorsam | Südwest Presse Online

On the alternative fringe as well as at the official Catholic Church Conference in Mannheim, there was a generally prevailing resentment and frustration over the delay in reforms within the Church. In sharp contrast, Pope Benedict XVI prepares apparently for Pentecost the final reconciliation with the Catholic Church of the traditionalist SSPX, their bishops and priests before anyone. This will happen if the SSPX, who continue to reject the key texts of the Council, are integrated in the church with canonical artifice. Before the Pope does this, he should be warned in due form not least by the bishops.

Because:

Firstly

The Pope would also be definitely included within the Church invalidly ordained bishops and priests. According to the Apostolic Constitution of Pope Paul VI "Pontificalis Romani recognitio" of 18 July (Cathcon- he gets the month wrong- should be June) 1968 the consecration of bishops and ordination of priests by Archbishop Lefebvre are not only illicit but also invalid (Cathcon- see text where Pope Paul introduces new forms of words for consecration and ordination and declares these forms necessary for validity) . This view is that of, among others, a relevant member of the "reconciliation commission", Karl Joseph Becker SJ, now cardinal.

(Cathcon- it is unlikely that Cardinal Becker as a Consultor to the CDF would take such a unsubtle view that the pre-conciliar form was invalid- although famously the Jesuit founder St Ignatius said, “We should always be disposed to believe that that which appears white is really black, if the hierarchy of the Church so decides”. The modern Church has recognised the Liturgy of Adai and Mari which does not possess the words of consecration, so I am sure that her liturgical generosity will include traditional Rite consecrations. A severe case here of believing what you want to believe as surely HK would welcome the Liturgy of Adai and Mari.)

Second

With such a disgraceful decision by Pope Benedict in his generally lamented detachment be even more removed from God's people. He should be according to the classical theory of schism be given a warning. Accordingly, a split in the church occurs, not only if you separate yourself from the Pope but also if you separate yourself from the whole body of the Church.

"So the Pope can become schismatic, if he does keep the whole body of the Church in the unity and solidarity which she is owed." (Francisco Suarez, Spanish Jesuit theologian of the decisive 16-17th century).

Thirdly

A schismatic pope under the same canon law teaching loses office. At least, he cannot expect obedience. Pope Benedict would therefore encourage everywhere the growing movement of "disobedience" against a hierarchy that is disobedient to the gospel.

For the serious rift and strife, which he had introduced into the church, he would have sole responsibility. Rather than make peace with the ultra-conservative, anti-democratic and anti-Semitic SSPX, the Pope had better take care of the reform-minded majority of Catholics and to the reconciliation of the churches of the Reformation and of the whole ecumenical movement. So he would unite not split.

Prof. Hans Küng is a Catholic theologian, and President of the Global Ethic Foundation which he founded. A critic of the church, his Church teaching license was revoked in 1979.

His version of the last fifty years- he has an egotism and determination to set the Church in his own image that makes Martin Luther into a well-balanced normal kind of guy.

Rather, he has entered theological Never- Never-Land.

Cardinal waiting for Pan-Orthodox Council before ecumenical breakthrough

2012-05-23T18:52:00.001+02:00

Kardinal Koch: Ökumenisches Warten auf ein gesamtorthodoxes Konzil – kipa/apic

A stumbling block in relations between the Catholic and the Orthodox Churches continues to be the Pope's primacy, Cardinal Kurt Koch said in an interview with the press agency Kipa in Einsiedeln in Switzerland. It is now necessary to wait for the Council before there are any further decisive ecumenical steps. - Cardinal Kurt Koch was staying on 20 May in Einsiedeln on the occasion of an Aid to the Church in Need pilgrimage .

In 2007 in Ravenna (in Italy), there was a meeting of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church. On that occasion an agreement on the question of the primacy of the Bishop of Rome was near, Koch said.

For the first time separated churches stated in a common expert document that, according to the tradition of the church that at a universal level there was pre-eminence of a "Primus" as had the Bishop of Rome during the first millennium. - The document was entitled "Ecclesiological and canonical consequences of thesacramental nature of the Church; conciliarity and authority in the Church ."

In the 46 points of comprehensive document, both sides agreed in Ravenna that Rome "took first place in the order of the undivided church of the first millennium and that therefore the Bishop of Rome was first among the patriarchs". He was first of the five major Sees of Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem. However, what remained unclear was how this primacy should be exercised on a universal level, said the text.

There was "disagreement on the interpretation of historical documents from that time on the privileges of the Bishop of Rome as the Primus." The primacy at local, metropolitan and universal level is a practice firmly grounded in the canonical tradition of the Church said the joint statement. But "while the fact of primacy at the universal level of both East and West, is accepted, there are differences of understanding regarding the manner in which it is to be exercised and also in terms of its biblical and theological basis."

Rejected by the Moscow Patriarch

In March 2011, however, the Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill I declared, according to Cardinal Koch, that he would never approve the document of Ravenna. So there is now no other solution than waiting for the work of the future pan-Orthodox council whose results would be important for the future of ecumenism, said Koch.

The preparatory work for the implementation of a pan-Orthodox council began half a century ago. A council would gather for the first time for over 1,100 years the 14 Eastern Orthodox Churches.

The Swiss Kurt Koch, former Bishop of the Diocese of Basel has been since 1 July 2010 President of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity at the Vatican. He followed the German Cardinal Walter Kasper. Pope Benedict XVI chose Kurt Koch not least because of his good knowledge of the Reformed churches.

Primate of Greece and Primate of Russia meet in Moscow

2012-05-23T18:34:00.001+02:00

Interfax-Religion:

"Archbishop Hieronymus, the Primate of the Church of Greece, will pay his first visit to Russia on May 23-30.

On May 24, Ascension Day (Cathcon in the East) and Saint Cyril and Methodius Day, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and Archbishop Hieronymus will serve a divine liturgy in the Uspensky Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. Archbishop Hieronymus will also take part in the opening ceremony of the Day of Slavic Writing and Culture, the synodal department for the External Church Relations Department reported on its website.

Patriarch Kirill and Archbishop Hieronymus will discuss the prospects of bilateral cooperation between the Russian and Greek Orthodox Churches in the areas of theological education, pilgrimage, social service, etc."

Document previously only seen by Bishop published today by the Vatican

2012-05-23T17:25:00.001+02:00

Norms regarding the manner of proceedings in the discernment of presumed apparitions or revelations

Prior to the Council, there was a system of positive vetting in place, which was removed. This was an attempt to restore order in the post-conciliar era.

Pope Benedict XVI- "It would be easier for me not to recognize the SSPX"

2012-05-23T00:00:00.001+02:00

kreuz.net – Benedikt XVI.: „Es wäre für mich leichter, die Piusbruderschaft nicht anzuerkennen

The SSPX is at a crossroads. The Pope is pushing for a decision - for or against the Vatican.

The structure offered by Rome for the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X , "incredibly suitable." This was said by the Superior General of the Fraternity, Bishop Bernard Fellay, at the end of a sermon last Sunday in Vienna. A copy of the sermon is posted on the video portal 'gloria.tv'. (long and in German)

"We remain as we are,"

On the imminent recognition, the faithful would notice no difference to the current situation, Mons.Fellay: ". We will stay as we are,"

The safeguarding of the freedoms of the Brotherhood Bishop Fellay sees as a problem. Currently some points are still unclear. There was a great fear that the Vatican would try to manipulate the SSPX.

Bishops want to prevent a reconciliation

Bishop Fellay indicated that the reconciliation of the SSPX in the mainstream church was controversial. At the same time, he gives the assurance that the Pope wants reconciliation of the Brotherhood in person. This cannot be doubted. “But it is certainly not the will of all in the Church.”

"Very significant pressure"

The future conduct of the negotiations Msgr. Fellay does not predict. It could be that the Pope decides within days or weeks. Or he could return the case to the Congregation. In the Vatican, there was "a lot of pressure."

The Pope opens himself to criticism

Bishop Fellay quoted a phrase of the Pope on the situation of the SSPX. Benedict XVI said: "I know that it would be easier for the Fraternity and for me to leave the matter in the present situation." The Holy Father knows that he "will receive criticism" for a reconciliation.

For or against Rome?

In conclusion, Bishop Fellay said that the present "quite comfortable" situation of the SSPX is coming to an end. The existing road will not be continued: "There will be a result for or against Rome as a result of this situation." Both will be difficult.

Cardinal hopes for unity with the SSPX

2012-05-22T21:48:00.001+02:00

Kardinal Brandmüller erhofft Einigung mit Piusbrüdern – kipa/apic

The German Cardinal Walter Brandmüller hopes for a successful completion of the Vatican's efforts towards unification with the breakaway traditionalist SSPX. At the same time the Cardinal in Rome on Monday expressed his lack of understanding of the fact that the SSPX do not yet accept conciliar documents on interreligious dialogue and religious freedom.

Cardinal Walter Brandmüller celebrated on 15 May 2011 at St. Peter's Basilica a Mass in the old rite.

The specific statements of the Council possessed no "dogmatically binding elements," said the Cardinal. Therefore, they should be for the SSPX "the easiest texts to accept".

This concerns clarifications to the documents "Nostra Aetate" and "Dignitatis Humanae". These must be "taken seriously" as an expression of the living Magisterium, "without wanting to bind the whole Church, into accepting this formula," said the cardinal. One can therefore talk about these documents. The Cardinal was talking at the launch of a book on Benedict XVI and the Second Vatican Council. The Cardinal is one of the authors of the work.

The starting point of a "fruitful dialogue" with the SSPX would be the historical relativity of each council, stressed Brandmüller. Further, the different character are the canonical documents of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) has to be taken into account. It is true that there is a big difference between the Council document on the Church, which was written in the canonical form of a "constitution" and the mere "statement" about the mass media.

Brandmüller relied on the Munich canonist Klaus Mörsdorf(1909-1989) for his assessment of the Munich

The Situation of the SSPX by Bishop Fellay- video

2012-05-22T18:00:00.000+02:00

Very long and in German. Key points shortly

Vicious power struggle in the Vatican

2012-05-22T00:30:00.001+02:00

Machtkampf im Vatikan – Benedikts XVI. Plan diesen zu beenden – Neuer Staatssekretär? › Katholisches

Power struggle in the Vatican which Pope Benedict XVI plans to end - New Secretary of State?

A book, published in Italy is creating unrest in the Vatican and has made Pope Benedict XVI angry, which is the new publication "Santità Sua "(Holiness) by Gianluigi Nuzzi. In it were numerous confidential letters directed to the pope and his personal secretary, Monsignor Georg Gänswein. About such a breach of trust and violation of privacy, the Pope is furious. The Vatican announced on Saturday that it is initiating legal proceedings for "theft" and "receiving stolen goods". Legal proceedings have been started already within and outside the Vatican.

Code name "Mary" - behind the theft, the people around Cardinal Sodano are suspected

The journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi said that "Maria" was his source. Hidden behind this code name are several people who - according to the author - have smuggled documents from the Vatican which bring to light facts hidden by the Vatican State.

The Vatican looks quite differently on what is being sold as "noble deed" in the "struggle against dark forces" . There one sees the release of confidential documents in a power struggle of the old guard who turned against the appointment of non-diplomat Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone as Secretary of State for the Vatican State. The culprits of the confidential data theft were suspected to be supporters of Bertone's predecessor Cardinal Angelo Sodano.

Bertone's appointment was not accepted by the "old guard"

Cardinal Sodano is a different figure to his successor in the prestigious Diplomatic Academy at the Piazza Minerva in Rome. It is not that Cardinal Sodano is himself accepted as an initiator of the leak, but certainly his immediate people. The public dissemination of the leaks has only one purpose: to discredit the incumbent Secretary of State Cardinal Bertone and, ultimately, to affect Pope Benedict XVI himself.

Many of the letters published in Nuzzis book are strictly confidential. The secretary of the Pope, after he had read them will have passed them from the papal apartment to the State Secretariat. There, someone has crept in, made photocopies and passed them on. The leak come from far up in the hierarchy of the Vatican State. At least the perpetrator acted with conscious or unconscious cover. Only then can one explain how easily they moved in the smallest state in the world.

Commission anticipates rapid investigation

An ad-hoc commission formed under the leadership of Cardinal Julian Herranz, Josef Tomko and Salvatore de Giorgi to give a name to the leak and bring to light the person who committed this "outrageous" and "criminal breach of trust". Investigations are already underway. It is expected that those responsible will be quickly determined. The range of persons who have access to confidential documents in the archives of the Secretariat of State is very small.

Diplomats against the Salesian

The new style of government by the Secretary of State Cardinal Bertone which can be summed up with the formula "less diplomacy and more Gospel" angered the previous team. This was increased by several errors made by the new Cardinal Secretary of State, especially in the first five years of the reign of Pope Benedict XVI. Cardinal Bertone had not supported enough the prophetic intellectual momentum of the Pope and made it visible within and beyond the Church. Above all, he gave preference within the Roman curia to Salesians when appointing to posts that traditionally were in the hands of Vatican diplomats The Cardinal Secretary of State is himself a Salesian of Don Bosco. His desire to surround himself with people he trusts is natural. The newly appointed are distinguished in academic qualifications, but they have no diplomatic experience. The split between the new and the old guard has been deepened

The appointment of the Bishop of Savona, Domenico Calcagno, as apostolic administrator of the Holy See, the Bishop of Vercelli, Giuseppe Versaldi, prefect for Economic Affairs and the rector of the Salesian University, Enrico Dal Covolo, to the Pontifical Lateran University, while these three are undoubtedly qualified for these tasks, caused the old team anger. And it seems that the anger was so great that they wanted the new Secretary of State to feel it. In this context, the nominations of the Pope, which concerned his closest circle, became the object of criticism. There were the new secretaries, of course, who brought their own way of working and the women who lead the papal household. John Paul II was cared for by nuns, but Benedict XVI prefers consecrated laity of Memores Domini, as the Vaticanist Paolo Rodari notes

Viganò made the power struggle public

The case of Viganò exemplifies the grave internal struggle and allowed it for the first time to be openly visible to the outside. Afterwards blows were returned and are thus likely to be directly related. Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, a faithful follower of the former Secretary of State Cardinal Sodano, Secretary of the Governorate since 2009, the Papal States, was removed in October 2011 before the expiration of his term of office in the Roman Curia. Viganò, number two in the administrative office of the Papal States, wanted to become the new governor and competed to succeed Cardinal Lajolo. Instead, he was deported to the post of nuncio to the United States of America.

The ambassadorship is one of the most prestigious in the world, but Viganò did not wish his "deportation" to occur without comment. Probably in the hope of being able to prevent his transfer, the Curial Archbishop let off his the first "bomb". He wrote several letters to among others, Secretary of State Cardinal Bertone and Pope Benedict XVI in which he gave the names of those whom he claimed had placed him in a bad light with the goal of doing him a disservice The letter to Cardinal Bertone was leaked to the media and read in the television broadcast of journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi , who has since published a book. The appointment of Viganò to the US looks ill-fated. Especially now that the bishops are engaged against President Obama in a bitter struggle for religious freedom.

The "old guard" campaigned for Viganò

Viganò claimed in the letter that he had been removed because he wanted to take action against "bad apples" who had allegedly been lining their own pocket behind the back of the Pope. He did not forget to note that these "apples" stood close to the Secretary of State Cardinal Bertone. But there is nothing more could be done.

The Pope had decided that Viganò after his two strongly worded letters which immediately appeared in the media, and probably because of it, should leave Rome. He had to go although in his favour, and ultimately against Secretary of State Bertone, several important cardinals had offered support who invariably belonged to the old guard of John Paul II and who had prevailed mainly in the last years of his pontificate. Among them was Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the former prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, who was regarded in 2006 as a possible successor to Sodano as Cardinal Secretary of State, Cardinal Georges Cottier, theologian of the Pontifical House, and especially Cardinal Agostino Cacciavillan who sent the Pope an urgent letter, and is also a close companion of Cardinal Sodano.

Benedict XVI resolute advocate of transparency should be discredited as "coverer-up"

One purpose of the publicly leaked documents was also to discredit Pope Benedict XVI. The Pope, who more than any other supported since the beginning of his pontificate transparency and internally insisted on several occasions tackling unpleasant and painful affairs openly and aggressively, and not only supported this in the paedophile scandal but also implemented it with new rules is placed by the indiscretions which have a distortionary character as someone who puts the brake on and covers up. Whoever committed this breach of trust, reckons on the anti-religious reflections of many journalists.

"New Guard" does not give the expected backing of Pope

The truth is quite different. Behind the back of the Pope, two groups of the Roman Curia are in a bitter struggle against each other: the old guard, which Benedict XVI. wanted to overthrow after his election and the new guard, in which he placed his confidence, but which has not yet repaid that trust in reality. From it, he has not received the hoped-for support to strengthen the reform and renewal plan that Pope Benedict XVI envisions for the Church and with which he wants to equip the church for the third millennium.

These include profound reorientation such as in Europe taking leave of the traditional idea of a national church. It seems that different, heterodox old forces want desperately to hold on to the idea. To some extent they also include the paradox of "grassroots" groups that adorn themselves with the label of radical reformers. The Pope sees on the other hand faithful Catholics as a minority in Europe and ventures to speak for them in contrast to bishops and lay representatives . He sees his task is to strengthen the minority and not to indulge in the fiction of a national church, which no longer exists.

The Pope actually the victim of intrigue - appointment of a new Cardinal Secretary of State?

Pope Benedict XVI is the real victim of scheming game. But the Pope differently from that commonly assumed is a strong man of action. His understanding of many things is different from prevailing ideas. The Roman Curia is close to new structural reform including the appointment of a new Cardinal Secretary of State. As a candidate for the office of the Vatican's "prime minister", the French Archbishop Dominique Mamberti is discussed. Mamberti, currently Head of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Secretariat of State, and thus "foreign minister" of the Holy See is a member of the Diplomatic Corps. He is said to possess the ability to work well with both factions This peace, the Pope needs as a prerequisite for his renewal program. Thus, with this as well as the appointment of a new prefect of the CDF, two key changes are in the offing.

Pope plans to fundamental transformation of the Roman Curia

Pope Benedict XVI last Wednesday took advantage of the Wednesday meeting of theCDF at which the future of the SSPX was discussed to receive the Regensburg Bishop Gerhard Ludwig Muller in audience. Personnel decisions have not been taken neither for the one nor for the other post been taken. Completely other names for the Secretary of State and the CDF could arise.

Bischof Müller loses battle to become head of CDF

2012-05-21T17:31:00.001+02:00

Spekulation: Bischof Müller bleibt wohl im Bistum :: Homepage - Nachrichten - Oberpfalz & Bayern :: Mittelbayerische Zeitung :: www.mittelbayerische.de

Bishop Gerhard Ludwig Mueller is clearly not going to be the Roman prefect of CDF. The signs indicate that the Pope will make a different decision on the succession to Cardinal William Joseph Levada. Whom the Pope appoints and when the decision will be announced, is as yet unclear. Mueller was discussed as a highly ranked candidate. At to his qualification for the top job in the oldest and most important of the nine congregations in the Vatican there was no doubt. As the new prefect, he would have been responsible for the protection of faith and morals throughout the Catholic Church. He has been since 2007 member of the influential authority. But there are efforts in the Vatican, not to give Germans important positions. Also behind church walls, the proportional representation of nations needs to be considered. What could have counted against Mueller is that he always showed a very negative attitude towards the SSPX, with whom the Vatican just negotiating about a return to the bosom of the church.

Mueller was the day before the Ascension received by Pope Benedict XVI in private audience. Officially, there were no subsequent statement. It can be speculated that Müller of the decision against him at that meeting. It remains to pastor in the diocese of Regensburg in which he celebrates his tenth anniversary. A Roman career at another time in another position in the Vatican is not excluded.

The ecumenical officer of the German Bishops' Conference had already been discussed several times for high office - including as Archbishop of Munich (2007), as head of the "Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity" (2009) and as Archbishop of Berlin (2011). Doctrine is his specialty. His dogmatic textbook has been translated worldwide. He is also an accomplished expert on liberation theology controversial in the South American Church. During the Pope's visit in 2006 to Regensburg Mueller had made a good impression. The subsequent establishment of the "Benedict Institute" ro produce the collected works of Joseph Ratzinger is a coup that enhances the Diocese of Regensburg's reputation. This year, the German Bishops' Conference was held in the cathedral city. Mueller also won the 2014 Catholic Conference for Regensburg.

As to speculation about his career, Mueller has hardly spoken "Let's wait for the future," he said in early May, when he received the donations of the Mittelbayerischen Zeitung for good causes. Currently there are no further comments from the diocese. To announce personnel decisions is the responsibility of the Vatican.

Radical Islamist threatens death to members of right-wing group

2012-05-21T01:56:00.001+02:00

Islam: "taz": Bonner Islamist ruft zu Mord an "Pro NRW"-Mitgliedern auf - Nachrichten Newsticker - News2 (AFP - Newsticker) - WELT ONLINE

A native of Bonn, a radical Islamist has according to a press report called for the murder of members of the right-wing group "Pro NRW" (North Rhine Westphalia). As the "tageszeitung" reported in its Monday edition Yassin Ch made the calls on a radical Islamic Internet forum. "You must kill all the members of the Pro NRW ," it was stated in the seven-minute call. This includes collecting information about homes, jobs and daily routine journeys, so that the attacks could be " best carried out under cover of darkness or at dawn".

Cardinal Lehmann- for many means for all

2012-05-18T20:22:00.001+02:00

KATH.NET - Katholischer Nachrichtendienst

The new translation of the words for the consecration of the chalice in the Mass ordered by the Pope according to the Mainz Cardinal Karl Lehmann changes nothing.

The biblical texts leave no doubt that Jesus died for the salvation of all people, Lehmann said on Friday at the Catholic Congress in Mannheim. According to the Pope, Benedict XVI the words "for many" Are merely a more accurate translation of the passages that describe Jesus' words at the Last Supper.

The assumption of many theologians, that Jesus used an Aramaic word that meant the "for all", have been put in question by recent research. In this respect the new translation, "for many" at this point is actually more accurate. This change does not alter the fact that in many other places Jesus is shown to have sacrificed himself for all. On the recent rapprochement between the Vatican and the tradtionalist SSPX, Lehmann noted not that this could lead to the Second Vatican Council (1962 - 1965 ) being put into question. In order to defend the council, one must fight for its benefits, Lehmann said to the applause of many in the audience. He made similar comments at the same time to several nationwide Catholic media outlets.

Cardinal Koch accuses SSPX of anti-semitism

2012-05-18T11:57:00.001+02:00

Kardinal Koch beklagt Antijudaismus bei Piusbrüdern - Leider "unausrottbar" | Nachrichten - domradio.de:

Unfortunately, "ineradicable"

The Vatican's "ecumenical minister", Cardinal Kurt Koch complains about anti-Semitic tendencies in the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X. He also pointed out that Christians belonged to the accomplices of the perfection of industrial mass murder of European Jews and for the most part to the passive spectators.

From the examination of the role of Christians in the Holocaust, the document "Nostra Aetate" of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) emerged by which the Catholic Church had clearly associated herself with the fight against anti-Semitism. Despite the efforts at reconciliation with the Judaism, anti-Semitism in today's world is "ineradicable," complained Koch, whose office is ashead of the Pontifical Council of Unity.

"Even in the Christian theology of Judaism, anti-semitism has come back not only among the traditionalists, but also among those who follow liberal trends", said the cardinal.

Testifying to faith even to Jews

The Catholic Church does not try to convert Jews, nor do they endorse such attempts . "The principled rejection of institutional mission to the Jews, however, does not mean that Christians do not bear witness to their faith to Jews." This has, however, "given the tragedy of the Shoah be done in a humble way," said Koch, who had previously participated in the deliberations of the Vatican's doctrinal congregation on reaching an agreement with the SSPX.

From the Superior of which, the Vatican has required as, a condition of unification, the recognition the basic principles of the Council. After the protest of the other three bishops put against the unification efforts were made public, the Vatican made clar, Fellays suggestions would be considered separately from the demands of his fellow bishops, who include Holocaust denier, Richard Willianson.

80 ex-priests prefer Obama to Catholic teaching on same-sex marriage

2012-05-17T23:28:00.001+02:00

Ex-priests come out against MN marriage amendment | Minnesota Public Radio News:

"A group of 80 former Catholic priests on Thursday announced their opposition to the constitutional marriage amendment.

The November ballot measure would define marriage as between one man and one woman, and is strongly supported by the Catholic Church.

John Estrem, a former rector at the Cathedral of St. Paul who went on to head Catholic Charities, said the Church he knows is about love and inclusion.

"As a Catholic and former priest, I encourage all to vote no on this amendment," Estrem said. "Enshrining discrimination does not promote marriage. It simply diminishes us all.""

'via Blog this'

Men of Galilee

2012-05-17T22:50:00.000+02:00

Introit for the Ascension Viri Galilaei, quid admiramini aspicientes in caelum?
alleluia: quemadmodum vidistis eum ascendentem in caelum, ita veniet,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Omnes gentes plaudite manibus: iubilate Deo in voce exsultationus.
Ye men of Galilee, why wonder you, looking up to heaven? alleluia:
he shall so come as you have seen him going up into heaven, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

O clap your hands, all ye nations; shout unto God, with the voice of exultation.

The Venerable Bede had a special devotion to the Antiphon of the Magnificat for the Ascension, as he himself was an orphan. St Cuthbert narrates the death of Bede on the Vigil of the Ascension.

CUTHBERT’S LETTER ON THE DEATH OF VENERABLE BEDE.

“TO his fellow-reader Cuthwin, beloved in Christ, Cuthbert, his school-fellow; Health for ever in the Lord. I have received with much pleasure the small present which you sent me, and with much satisfaction read the letters of your devout erudition; wherein I found that masses and holy prayers are diligently celebrated by you for our father and master, Bede, whom God loved: this was what I principally desired, and therefore it is more pleasing, for the love of him (according to my capacity), in a few words to relate in what manner he departed this world, understanding that you also desire and ask the same. He was much troubled with shortness liii of breath, yet without pain, before the day of our Lord’s resurrection, that is about a fortnight; and thus he afterwards passed his life, cheerful and rejoicing, giving thanks to Almighty God every day and night, nay, every hour, till the day of our Lord’s Ascension, that is, the seventh of the Calends of June [twenty-sixth of May] and daily read lessons to us his disciples, and whatever remained of the day, he spent in singing psalms; he also passed all the night awake, in joy and thanksgiving, unless a short sleep prevented it; in which case he no sooner awoke than he presently repeated his wonted exercises, and ceased not to give thanks to God with uplifted hands.

I declare with truth, that I have never seen with my eyes, nor heard with my ears, any man so earnest in giving thanks to the Living God. “O truly happy man! He chanted the sentence of St. Paul the Apostle, It is dreadful to fall into the hands of the Living God, and much more out of Holy Writ; wherein also he admonished us to think of our last hour, and to shake off the sleep of the soul; and being learned in our poetry, he said some things also in our tongue, for he said, putting the same into English,

“For tham neod-fere Nenig wyrtheth Thances snottra Thonne him thearf sy To gehiggene Ær his heonen-gange Hwet his gaste Godes oththe yveles Æfter deathe heonen Demed wurthe.” which means this: — liv “ ‘No man is wiser than is requisite, before the necessary departure; that is, to consider, before the soul departs hence, what good or evil it hath done, and how it is to be judged after its departure.’ “

He also sang Antiphons according to our custom and his own, one of which is,

‘O glorious King, Lord of all Power, who, triumphing this day, didst ascend above all the Heavens; do not forsake us orphans; but send down upon us the Spirit of Truth which was promised to us by the Father. Hallelujah!’

O rex gloriae, Domine virtutum,
qui triumphator hodie super omnes caelos ascendisti:
ne derelinquas nos orphanos, sed mitte promissum Patris in nos,
Spiritum veritatis. Alleluia.

And when he came to that word, ‘do not forsake us,’ he burst into tears, and wept much, and an hour after he began to repeat what he had commenced, and we, hearing it, mourned with him.

By turns we read, and by turns we wept, nay, we wept always whilst we read. In such joy we passed the days of Lent, till the aforesaid day; and he rejoiced much, and gave God thanks, because he had been thought worthy to be so weakened. He often repeated, ‘That God scourgeth every son whom he receiveth;’ and much more out of Holy Scripture; as also this sentence from St. Ambrose, ‘I have not lived so as to be ashamed to live among you; nor did I fear to die, because we have a gracious God.’ During these days he laboured to compose two works well worthy to be remembered, besides the lessons we had from him, and singing of Psalms; viz. he translated the Gospel of St. John as far lv as the words: ‘But what are these among so many, etc. [St. John, ch. vi. v. 9.] into our own tongue, for the benefit of the Church; and some collections out of the Book of Notes of Bishop Isodorus, saying: ‘I will not have my pupils read a falsehood, nor labour therein without profit after my death.’

When the Tuesday before the Ascension of our Lord came, he began to suffer still more in his breath, and a small swelling appeared in his feet; but he passed all that day and dictated cheerfully, and now and then among other things, said, ‘Go on quickly, I know not how long I shall hold out, and whether my Maker will not soon take me away.’ But to us he seemed very well to know the time of his departure; and so he spent the night, awake, in thanksgiving; and when the morning appeared, that is, Wednesday, he ordered us to write with all speed what he had begun; and this done, we walked till the third hour with the relics of saints, according to the custom of that day.

There was one of us with him, who said to him, ‘Most dear master, there is still one chapter wanting: do you think it troublesome to be asked any more questions?’ He answered, ‘It is no trouble. Take your pen, and make ready, and write fast.’ Which he did, but at the ninth hour he said to me, ‘I have some little articles of value in my chest, such as pepper, napkins and incense: lv run quickly, and bring the priests of our monastery to me, that I may distribute among them the gifts which God has bestowed on me. The rich in this world are bent on giving gold and silver and other precious things. But I, in charity, will joyfully give my brothers what God has given unto me.’ He spoke to every one of them, admonishing and entreating them that they would carefully say masses and prayers for him, which they readily promised; but they all mourned and wept, especially because he said, ‘They should no more see his face in this world.’ They rejoiced for that he said, ‘It is time that I return to Him who formed me out of nothing: I have lived long; my merciful Judge well foresaw my life for me; the time of my dissolution draws nigh; for I desire to die and to be with Christ.’

Having said much more, he passed the day joyfully till the evening; and the boy, above-mentioned, said,: ‘Dear master, there is yet one sentence not written.’ He answered, ‘Write quickly.’ Soon after, the boy said, ‘The sentence is now written.’ He replied, ‘It is well, you have said the truth. It is ended. Receive my head into your hands, for it is a great satisfaction to me to sit facing my holy place, where I was wont to pray, that I may also sitting call upon my Father.’ And thus on the pavement of his little cell, singing: ‘

Glory be to the father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,’ when he had named the Holy Ghost, he breathed his last, and so departed to the Kingdom of Heaven. lvii

All those who beheld the blessed father’s death, said they had never seen any other person expire with so much devotion, and in so tranquil a frame of mind. For, as you have heard, so long as the soul animated his body, did he never cease to give thanks to the true and living God, with expanded hands exclaiming: ‘Glory be to the Father,’ and other spiritual ejaculations. But know this, my dear brother, that I could say much concerning him, though my want of erudition abridges this discourse. Nevertheless, by the grace of God, I purpose shortly to write more concerning him, particularly those things which I saw with mine own eyes, and heard with mine own ears.”

Brothel visits are confirmation presents in Austria- police bring 162 charges

2012-05-17T21:56:00.001+02:00

Nach der Firmung ins Bordell - Österreich-Chronik - derStandard.at › Panorama

When it comes to male initiation rites, Styrian tradition now includes some quite remarkable variants. As a result of a key action of the police under youth protection law at the beginning of the week, investigators said that it was common for Styrian children who receive in these days from the local parish priest, the sacrament of Confirmation, are rewarded for that church occasion with a most secular one: a brothel visit.

In the bishop's office of the Diocese of Graz-Seckau, no one wanted to believe the revelation of the debauched confirmation culture .Bishop Egon Kapellari finally gave guidance- the Catholic Church in Styria was "the largest provider of sexuality workshops" where under the slogan 'Terms of Endearment' youngsters are shown the responsible use of their sexual power." Visits to brothels in general, and certainly as not as a confirmation gift do not conform to " the Christian image of man, nor do they meet the needs of young people in their lives."

The actual confirmation gift could lead to large fines for the godfather, as visits to brothels are not allowed before the age of 18 years, said Inspector Franz Handler who with his colleagues in the districts of Weiz and Hartberg made 162 charges against young people, children's guardians and brothel keepers . Adults who breach the Protection of Minors legislation, says Handler, are liable to a fine of up to 2500 €.

"Female" confirmation gift normal a hundred years ago

Peter Jaron Zwi Scheer, head of the psychosomatic-psychotherapeutic department at Graz Children's Hospital reacted calmly. "History repeats itself. A hundred years ago this was normal. Great damage to the adolescents is not to be expected."

Confirmation Gifts - with the blessing of the Church - are available on the website of the Catholic Youth firmung.at: an incense bowl, patchwork blanket, meditation cord, and under "B" instead of "brothel" is: the Bible.