I am sorry to say, but this article is gossip, not reporting. The story seems to have been written by someone with little familiarity with the Church, who merely echoes the stereotypes of the secular press.
The building in question is a diocesan center, not a private palace for the bishop. The line about how many poor could have been fed by it is quite old and trite, the sort of thing said whenever the Church's enemies want to make her look bad, beginning with the English Reformation and extending through 20th century Communism. The fact is that the German dioceses continue to contribute more to international works of charity than almost any other nation.
Perhaps this building could have been done in a more cost-effective manner, but that hardly merits the kind of public flogging [Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst of Limbourg] has received. I see no other real evidence of an "extravagant lifestyle." I suspect the real cause behind the media outcry may be the fact that this young Bishop has stood up against the homosexual agenda and other liberal causes. The real outrage by Catholics in Germany should be against another bishop, who has been spreading confusion about the Church's teachings on divorce and remarriage.
27 comments
ONe of the best means of self-defence is to divert attention, from that which is causing offence, to another matter - in this case two other matters. It is ignoble not to fight your battle on its own battleground, and to shift it onto someone else's.
Perhaps Father Houser would explain what he means by the 'homosexual agenda'? The homosexual has a particularly hard burden to carry through life. He/she is condemned by nature, and the nature of many hostile heterosexuals to the status of a sub-being, to be despised and persecuted. And just as s/he thinks that modern society is getting a little more forebearing, along comes a shite like Houser.
Perhaps it is time to remind this German git that priests are no exemplars of how to live a good life. The sex-abuse scandals are not forgotten, and for all we know could still be going on. You seek to make again a pariah out of those who have been dealt a rum hand by nature, although you may well have to face another round of condign persecution over clerical kiddie-fiddling. I am sure you Lord and Master would greatly appreciate your hypocritical hatefullness and cowardice.
Right, because, you know, Jesus Christ drove a rolls royce, am I right?
"The line about how many poor could have been fed by it is quite old and trite"
@nazani14
Well hopefully they would be returned to the families of those from whom they were stolen.
"I suspect the real cause behind the media outcry may be the fact that this young Bishop has stood up against the homosexual agenda and other liberal causes."
Even if that bling was a church institution, he blew 31 million Euro on a project that was projected to cost 5.5 million Euros. I don't give a damn were you work at that point, if you don't have very damn good reason, you should get fired for that.
The Holy Father seems not to agree. He also thinks that the Church spends too much time fretting about gays, abortion etc. I'm no Catholic, but I believe, Fr Houser, the Church believes in something called Religious Obedience?
@Broton of Loch Ness
You may not be aware that, like it or not, the Church was much the largest patron of art and architecture until the late eighteenth century. The Vatican, through reports written by the hierarchy and the Curia, was one of the world's most profilic producers of documents, which makes the Vatican Secret Archive one of the most valuable in the world for study of the Medieval and Early Modern periods. Most of the stuff to which you refer was commissioned by the Papacy. They still have the receipts. You're welcome to criticize the Vatican, but your criticism would be more effective if you did it on grounds that were legitimate.
I am sorry to say, but this article is gossip, not reporting.
I guess the gossip fooled the Pope, too, since he suspended the guy.
@tracer
That was delightful, thank you for that.
@((Doogy)) Houser
I feel like the Pope, ya know, God's messenger on Earth in your tradition would have some criticisms to make to you.
"The real outrage by Catholics in Germany should be against another bishop, who has been spreading confusion about the Church's teachings on divorce and remarriage."
- Anyone who has read the gospels will tell you that Jesus had a lot more to say about religious leaders living fat off the common folks than he did about divorce. If you don't like the word of Jesus limiting your access to the good life, its time to get another job. Either that, or start telling people that the words of Jesus don't apply in your case.
Take your pick: I've seen religious leaders do both in my time.
The building in question is a diocesan center , not a private palace for the bishop.
Does a diocedan center really need to cost over 30m? Is this bishop a cousin of these Florida judges ?
Perhaps this building could have been done in a more cost-effective manner , but that hardly merits the kind of public flogging..
It is exactly the crux of the problem, because this building has been funded not only by the money of the parishers but also from the Catholic taxmoney , and this money has been diverted from the charities you just speak about.
I'm sorry to say, but your post is damage control, not reporting Your post seems to have been written by somone with little familiarity with reality, who merely echos the PR of the vatican whit it gets caught with its hand in the alter boys pants.
Here is the car this bishop drives.
image
Confused?
So were we! You can find all of this, and more, on Fundies Say the Darndest Things!
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