The Archdiocese of Berlin has decided to relocate the site of Pope Benedict XVI's Berlin Mass, scheduled for 22 September, from the Charlottenburg Palace to the city's Olympic Stadium. This place was infamously built by the Nazis in an attempt to justify their regime around the world. It was at this venue that Adolf Hitler also sought to promote his ideas about racial supremacy, and where Jesse Owens, the black track and field athlete, embarrassed the Nazi dictator by winning four gold medals during the 1936 Olympics. Why anyone with any sense would allow Pope Benedict XVI to celebrate Mass at this place is beyond me. It is true that Bl Pope John Paul II used the venue for a Beatification Mass in 1996, but he was Polish and completely unconnected to the Nazi regime - bar for the fact that he was one of its foreign victims. But, it is well-known that our present pontiff was forced to join the Hitler Youth as a teenager, and even served in the German military during the Second World War. Whilst those of us who have read his memoirs know that Joseph Ratzinger despised the Nazis and their evil, it is a fact that the Church's enemies have constantly used our good Pope's youth to slander him by describing him as "a Nazi."
Is it possible that, what with the shame of a Nazi past forcing silence on the matter, this slur on Pope Benedict XVI is not really expressed by German secularists or enemies of the Church? It would be difficult to slander someone by calling him a Nazi for having been a member of the Hitler Youth when one's own grandfather probably joined the same movement! Surely, though, those members of the German Church responsible for planning the Pope's visit to Germany this September are aware that many on the left, the gay lobby, as well as atheists and secularists around the world have done their best to damage the Papacy and the Catholic Church by referring to Pope Benedict XVI as "a Nazi." One need only type "Pope Benedict..." into Google to notice that one of the first auto-filled suggestions for the search contains the word "Nazi."
The fact that Pope Benedict XVI is now going to celebrate Mass in this temple to Nazisim, which many outside Germany view with the same contempt as they would the park where the Nuremberg Rallies were held, is a dream come true for the Church's enemies. They will maximise this folly to its full potential, whilst others will wonder why this Pope is being led from one gaffe to another by those who are meant to be advising him.
Here is part of the announcement that was published by the Archdiocese of Berlin earlier today (my translation, with help from Google Translate): -
Here is part of the announcement that was published by the Archdiocese of Berlin earlier today (my translation, with help from Google Translate): -
Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate the Eucharist on the first day of his visit to Germany, 22 September 2011, at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.To read the statement in full, please see the website for the Archdiocese of Berlin. To read one of the first reports on this story in the world press, please see the Telegraph's piece, entitled "Pope's Berlin Mass moved to Nazi Olympic site."
"So many people want to celebrate Holy Mass with the Pope that the front of the Charlottenburg Palace would be bursting at the seams," said Diocesan Administrator Bishop Dr Matthias Heinrich. "It is greatly encouraging for the faithful in the Archdiocese of Berlin that so many people from across Germany and beyond have registered to attend the service."
"We already have nearly 50,000 applications," added Monsignor Ronald Rother, who is responsible for the preparation of the Pope's visit to the Archdiocese of Berlin. He also renewed the invitation to join the event, saying, "It is still possible to register via www.papst-in-deutschland.de and by signing applications within the parishes of the Archdiocese of Berlin. "
"This decision ensures that we can consider all applications," said the general coordinator of the Pope's trip, Fr Hans Langendörfer SJ. "Many have good memories of attending Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II in 1996." The Olympic Stadium in Berlin is barrier free and offers proven safety measures, it is also equipped with seats, many of which are covered. "This will just help older people to be able to attend the Papal Mass," said Langendörfer.
The transfer of the Papal Mass to the Olympic Stadium was agreed between the Vatican, the German Bishops' Conference and the Archdiocese of Berlin.
Hopefully, the Holy Spirit will soon begin to pour out some wisdom on those who advise the Pope, for with friends like those who organise these Papal events, who needs enemies?
[The Berlin Olympic Stadium in 1936; Deutsches Bundesarchiv; published under a Creative Commons licence; source: Wikimedia Commons]
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31 comments:
It might be a bit of a surprise to anyone who served in the Berlin Brigade of the British Army 1945-1994 that the Olympic Stadium still stands for Nazism, never mind to supporters of Herta Berlin.
There might just be an element here of UK papers finding an opportunity to do a bit of Pope-bashing.
@ Ttony
Unfortunately, not many people served in the Berlin Brigade and for most of us the Olympic Stadium is "1936 and all that."
If the Church is going preside over such unnecessary gaffes, then we can't really blame the anti-Catholic British (or international) press for wanting to serve up stories like this.
The only hope is that the Pope might refer to its evil history and choose to bless and cleanse the Stadium.
I remember a piece of film showing Hitler at the Games furious because an African-American runner had disproved his racial theories by winning.
Perhaps the Pope's presence there proves that Love has triumphed over evil, the wondrous Cross replacing the Swastika.
@ Grace
Yes, the fact that Love has triumphed over evil and that the Cross has now crushed the swastika should be emphasised if the Mas goes ahead in the stadium.
I am sure that the Holy Father's presence and, of course, the celebration of the Sacrifice of Calvary and the Resurrection of Our Lord, will cleanse the place of its evil connotations. Let's hope, though, that the press pick up on our Christian message, as my fear is that journalists will concentrate on the negatives only.
@ Grace: Yes, it was Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals in track and field. (According to his own testimony, when he was going for the long jump, he got a little advice from Germany's top jumper that helped him win!) Sadly enough, Owens' in-yer-face victories didn't take on the significance it has now until well after the war, when the US was going through its civil-rights troubles.
Getting back out of the rabbit hole ... B16 is sensitive and savvy enough that he could turn this bad decision into a triumph, though I would prefer he not have to.
Oh dear, one can already imagine the wealth of pictures and films running side by side in advance of and during the visit. As you say, it won't just be the media; it'll be a field day for secularist (the ones who promote some of the worst aspects of Nazi Germany but don't see the dreadful irony). Bad, bad move.
Surely there's a large enough park in or near Berlin for the Mass.
Failing that, the Archdiocese should accept restricted numbers, as in other countries when the applications have been over-subscribed. Perhaps an extra Mass, or Benediction as per Hyde Park could be factored in. I don't suppose the Pope of all people would object to either.
You're quite right, a very silly decision.
However, what struck me as the height of irony in your comment was your litany of hates, among them - 'communists and homosexuals'. Now, remind me, who else had this kind of list when he used to deliver his mad, rambling, evil speeches...? His list also included Jew and gypsies, of course...
It's the way that you pick on groups in this systematic way that can sound disturbing. At least, it does to me - but then I'm probably a 'liberal', another group (of Catholics!!) that you seem to despise.
@ Anonymous
More Catholics were killed under both Nazism and Communism than any other group. Also, it might surprise you to know that contrary to what people are often taught, there was no genocidal persecution of homosexual under the Nazi regime. Yes, homosexual sex was a crime, as it was in practically every other country in the world. In fact when some of the prison camps were liberated, the Allied forces merely moved the homosexual prisoners to other places of imprisonment.
Those people mentioned in my post actively persecute the Church and have often falsely accused the Pope of being a Nazi - as you seem to be doing with me. I can assure you that my post was no rant, though I should have referred to "gay rights activists" instead of homosexuals and "the Left" instead of Communists.
Well - as a german (please excuse my bad english) catholic i am greatfull for pope Benedicts visit - and happy with the decission to read mass in the olimpic stadium.
"Do not be afraid" sais Jesus and this was one of the first words, blessed pope john paul ii said in his pontificate.
Furthermore it was this blessed jpii, who proclaimed two victims of nazi-regime blessed during a mass in Berlin olimpic stadium in 1996. What more spirituall cleaning is necessary?
A friend told me, that some jewish feast run as "they wanted to kill us - we survived -so lett us celebrate". To learn from our elder brothers (also bl. jpii) would mena saying:
"Here acted the devil - now we are here to work on a better world - so lett us praise the lord"
Beatification of Bernhard Lichtenberg and Karl Leisner on 23 June 1996 at Berlin's Olympic Stadium
http://www.ewtn.com/library/papaldoc/jp960623.htm
@ tlr
Your English is very good ;-)
Of course, it was much easier for JPII to celebrate Mass at the Stadium for no one could ever have attempted to accuse him of being a Nazi - he was one of thier foreign victims. But, things are a bit less clear-cut when it comes to our present Pope, whom , many of the Church's enemies accuse of having been a Nazi because of his membership of the Hitler Youth. For many non-Germans, I'm afraid to say that the Berlin Stadium remains a very controversial place.
Having said all that, I am sure all shall be well and that Pope Benedict will turn yet another potential PR disaster into a triumph.
It all sounded pretty horrific to me - more than enough persecution, I would have thought! :
http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/online/hsx/
The idea that I am accusing you of being a nazi is preposterous.
You now seem to prefer using 'the Left'. So, does that include me? And, if so, are you accusing me of calling the Holy Father a nazi? Again, all preposterous.
Why do you insist on putting people in convenient little boxes? Do you really believe life is that uncomplicated? Do you really want to give everyone a stamp on the forehead to show that this is what they are, only this, and nothing else. Shall everyone for evermore be identified exclusively by your views on 'the Left', liberals, traditionalists, 'gay rights activists' or whatever else? If the Left, for instance, is such an enemy, then there will be room for very few Welsh Catholics in your definition of true catholicism.
Of course it will be a triumph. What a chance to remove all traces of memory from that place!
Do we wish to allow it that power to disturb. Cover it in yellow banners and display a mighty Cross.The joy and love will obliterate the negative past.
The press cannnot dispute that this is a great opportunity. perhaps heaven sent.
I agree with Anthony Lane on this, and also with Sue. The Pope is savvy, and in crisis he (and the Church) see opportunity for renewal. Put it this way: no matter what B16 does, people who make up their minds to are going to dredge up the "Habemus Nazi" nonsense, regardless. We already know how certain people among the chattering classes and certain media outlets throw all standards of decency, logic, and decent reporting out the window. So if not this, then they'll assuredly find something else.
But if B16 orchestrates this well (and I don't see why he shouldn't), it could well be a triumph, and a symbol of what God can overcome in conquering evil-- we might even argue that we already saw that in Jesse Owens. Hermeneutic of Continuity, anyone?
@ Anon
I don't know about:
"putting people into little boxes".
Isn't it really about society's labelling, instead of treating each child of God individually as Our Lord did.
I heard two gay men say "All women look the same to me"
Two gay women agreed saying "All men look the same to me"
In saying that, they were rejecting over half the human population and they were rejecting me.
However, I have also heard something very similar from heterosexual men in relation to women's intelligence and emotional stability.
From females I have heard "All men are aggressive and love war".
Sweeping statements and stereotyping, whether of gender, race, politics or religion, is a sign of poor education, poor theology or propaganda.
Catholic infighting again?
( And leave the Welsh out of this!) (:
@ Bethan
I agree with you; that was exactly my point.
Perhaps I should have said 'us Welsh' - it was why I mentioned it!
Cross replaces swastika! Nothing wrong with that, no matter what the gutter press say.
Ye of little faith!!
1. How is this a "gaff"? I have no doubt that Pope Benedict will address the Nazi issue head on. It is naive to think that he would not have tremendous sensitivity on this occasion.
2. Indeed, JP2 was a victim of the Nazi's...but so were all those children forced to enroll in the Hitler youth! As you said, every German has a father or grandfather who has probably shared their horror stories with their children.
3. This trip will surely be a challenge, however Benedict will disarm his critics with his towering intellect, transparent goodness and luminous faith.
4. TIR: I hope that you get to attend some of the events! It will be a grace-filled moment for Germans of good will.
@Anon:
Do you disagree though with the premise though that "the Left" and gay-rights activist have a led a campaign opposing Pope Benedict (and by definition then, the Catholic Church)?
You only have to have been around in the UK circa September 2010 to see where the bigotry and hatred towards the Pope and towards Catholics came from.
In any case - I have no objection to the Pope offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the 1936 stadium. The efficacy of the Sacrifice on Calvary and the actual graces procured for us through the worthy celebration of Holy Mass is immeasurably greater than the sins committed by Adolf Hitler and his follower. Those who suffered under atheistic regimes like Nazi Germany, and those who continue to suffer under atheistic regimes like Communist China today, will especially benefit from having their smaller sacrifice united to the perfect Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross re-presented for us as the unbloody Sacrifice on the altar.
@ justin
But it was only some of the 'Left' and some 'gay-right activists' - really, this isn't difficult to grasp or understand. And that - I'll say it yet again - is my point. I don't want us Catholics (Welsh or otherwise!) to use langugae in the same way as some evil atheistic regimes have used language. And I don't want us putting people in simplistic little boxes, or creating whole groups or minorities that are to be hated or targetted in any way. The language of the Church should be very, very different.
@Ttony
Interesting point there re: the Berlin Brigade.
Your profile shows you as following two blogs, the second being an American priest whom Joseph Goebbels would have admired for the humour he finds in mocking the afflicted and aged because it serves his own agenda.
Scroll down to the photographs. On this I lack a sense of humour (or humor in this case)
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2011/06/hello-detroit/
This is an interesting debate.
Another Catholic trying to jump on the Holocaust bandwagon! Certainly Poles were exterminated by the Nazi's but Catholics were never killed because of their religion.
The stadium is being used simply because of it's capacity and location. You need to remember you are not a Priest, get you facts right and you need to get a life.
@ Anonymous
This is my last ever response to an anonymous comment, simply because I have never wanted to jump on any "bandwagon", and especially not a "holocaust bandwagon" and have no idea where you got that from! All I said was that more Catholics had been killed under various atheistic regimes than any other group. I didn't suggest that the Nazis actively killed all Catholics (although they did make life difficult for the Church and sought to impose their doctrine / symbols on her).
I also pointed out in a specific comment that accused me of something very grave indeed that the Nazis never really actively persecuted homosexuals - they merely did what the rest of the world was doing, i.e. imprisoned men caught having sex with other men. In fact, a book was published recently (The Pink Swastika) that argued that there were far more active homosexuals within the Nazi movement than were ever killed by it. I believe that about 15,000 homosexuals died in the camps, whilst at least 50,000 priests and religious were killed for witnessing to Christian justice. Your argument that Catholics were never killed for their religion is false, for many were - for their faith led them to direct conflict with the pagan / atheistic tyranny which was National Socialism.
What my not being a "Priest" has anything to do with it is beyond me!
As for "getting a life", surely for someone who anonymously comments on blogs they seem to hate / dislike, then your comments are a classic example of the pot calling the kettle black.
I hope your soul finds some peace. I don't write for anyone, so would be more than happy if you choose not to read my comments if they seem to cause you such distress.
Hear Hear!
What is "Anon" doing trolling RC blogs at 8.28pm on a Friday night.
Why isn't he/she down the boozer enjoying a social life?
"Anon" you were perfectly entitled to query Dylan's stats. and viewpoint, but a better tone might have helped.
You could have wrecked the opportunity for other "Anonymous" to contribute to the debate.
I know women religious who do this so I hope he will reconsider.
For Dylan- xxx. You are always a gentleman!
PS. If "Anon" is a housebound person, and again, I know those for whom the blogosphere is their only contact with the outside world, I apologise but keep it charitable... please.
@ Liz
Thank you ;-)
Am still working on a Beddgelert post, just trying to figure when to post it...
Thanks for your support!
Oh I am very sorry if I have crossed the Rubicon of good taste, it's the only welsh I ever learnt unfortunately -I should have payed more attention during my sojourn in the wonderful country of Wales, and learnt a few emollient, lilting and euphonic phrases to hang upon my person... ( I must say my sojourn seems distant and yet clear- it's emblazoned upon the landscape of my mind and redolent of the opening of Brideshead Revisited.)
Please remove it with celerity ,as what is wrong this afternoon must be wrong this evening ( or maybe not)....we do not want to live in a dictatorship of relativism where right and wrong changes within hours......( or do we ?)
This is only to clarify that I was not the anon. of the last message under that 'name' above.
As for my earlier contributions, I can only say that I believe that I was engaging in rigorous debate with regard to language and the use of language. These things are important, or should be, to all Catholics. Your entries are often rigorous, and I'm surprised, therefore, that you seem unhappy when your comments are questioned or challenged in any way.
I also wanted to state that we really shouldn't pigeonhole anyone, or create convenient groups that then become easier to attack. History alone rhould teach us that.
I don't know now, of course, whether this message will appear or not.
Beth bynnag, mae'n amser gwely, a 'dwi wedi blino - nos da bawb!
@ A Reluctant Sinner
The Pope is the ultimate exorcist, and his visit to Berlin's Olympic Stadium is a God given opportunity to rebirth the whole concept of Olympic Regeneration in Christ "Jam lucis orto sidere" prior to London's 2012 Olympic City Challenge (an 'Interview with the Vampire' II).
The following poem was performed for the WRITE NEXT DOOR SHOWCASE at the Broadway Theatre, Barking 24th January 2007 at 7.30 pm. There were 12 BNP Councillors (there are now 0) in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham at the time of the performance, and which made it all the more important that I got the message across.
From Dark To Light Too
From 666 to 999.
From Alpha to Omega the end of time.
From what was yours to what is mine.
An Evening Star did shine.
When clouded orbits declined within.
Dragged down to Earth by original sin.
When God's witness was D.S Quinn.
An Evening Star did shine.
If truths suppressed could take to wing.
To Maria Assumpta like birds they'd sing.
No longer numbed by vespine sting.
An Evening Star still shines.
Our Lady of the Rosary ( http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.com/2011/05/visit-to-tomb-of-blessed-john-paul-ii.html ) pray for us!
PAPA VERO ORA PRO NOBIS!
Yours sincerely
Roy Hobson aka Our Lady's "Vesper" ON-LINE +
ROY HOBSON FRICES1990, FRICS1984, Grad Dipl QS
@ A Reluctant Sinner
I hope you agree that this dovetails nicely with yesterday's comment
With just 400 days to go before the start of the London Olympics, the Church of England has released a prayer for those preparing for the 2012 Games. It asks God to be with the athletes, their supporters and families, and the thousands of churches preparing to organise Olympics-themed events in their communities, and it is read on a new podcast by GB Olympic 400m gold medallist Christine Ohuruogu MBE.
A prayer in preparation for the 2012 Games
Eternal God,
Giver of joy and source of all strength,
we pray for those
who prepare for the London Olympic and Paralympic games.
For the competitors training for the Games and their loved ones,
For the many thousands who will support them,
And for the Churches and others who are organising special events and who will welcome many people from many nations.
In a world where many are rejected and abused,
we pray for a spirit
of tolerance and acceptance, of humility and respect
and for the health and safety of all.
May we at the last be led towards the love of Christ who is more than gold, today and forever. Amen
Here is the web page with full details http://www.england.anglican.org/media-centre/news/2011/06/400m-gold-medallist-reads-olympic-prayer-400-days-ahead-of-2012-games.aspx
Our Lady of the Rosary ( http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.com/2011/05/visit-to-tomb-of-blessed-john-paul-ii.html ) pray for us!
PAPA VERO ORA PRO NOBIS!
God Save the Queen!
@ A Reluctant Sinner
The Berlin Olympic stadium's Nazi history gives us a lesson in how truly diabolical forces can penetrate the minds of men and women via the use of malevolent, manipulative mass propaganda exercises.
Let's look at the last line of the C of E's prayer in preparation for the 2012 Games... May we at the last be led towards the love of Christ who is more than gold, today and forever. Amen
JAMES PARKER is the Catholic Executive Director for the 2012 Games and he is connected to these two websites www.morethangold.org.uk, and www.peacelegacy.org.uk.
I don't really like the last line of the C of E's prayer, and I am concerned that the associated mass propaganda programme connected to www.morethangold.org.uk is uninspired and exclusive.
Christ is true gold in a spiritual sense.
A Vision of Britain by HRH The Prince of Wales is a 1989 book on Architecture , contrast this to my poor Londoner's Vision of Britain which was a big dream of a golden haired Christ who said the words "Jam lucis orto sidere" to me. I interpreted this as meaning the "morning star has risen" and that Christ is the inspirational golden light of the world. I pray that Pope Benedict XVI will be inspired by London's true Vision of Britain before his Berlin Mass in the Olympic Stadium that was Hitler's Architectural dream.
Our Lady of the Rosary ( http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.com/2011/05/visit-to-tomb-of-blessed-john-paul-ii.html ) pray for us!
PAPA VERO ORA PRO NOBIS!
God Save the Queen!
@ A Reluctant Sinner
"Jam lucis orto sidere"
How many GOLDEN STARS for CHRIST can the WORLD OF SPORT, CULTURE, & MEDIA produce between NOW and the end of the LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC GAMES?
Yesterday I visited the London Soccerdome which hosted a development day for the Black and Asian Coaches Association (BACA) on the Greenwich Peninsula, and I updated Johann Alexander THE FA's PR MANAGER with regard to my FOOTBALL AGAINST RACISM IN EUROPE 1991-2011 development case, that I have progressed to the Home Secretary's desk with the help of my former MP for Erith & Thamesmead John Austin.
Benjamin Odeje was the FIRST black boy to play football for England Schoolboy U15's in the 1970/71 season. I played No 5 behind Benjamin Odeje's No 9 for Blackheath Schools in the 1970/71 season and then also for Charlton Athletic/Great Britain in the 1971/72 season Centenaire du Havre Athletic Club Tournament.
It was my job on the pitch to break up the opposition's attacks and to then provide the ammunition for "DEJE" to score the goals.
It was in the 1971/72 season that Benjamin Odeje accepted the professional terms offered to him by Charlton Athletic and I declined the terms offered to me by the professional game in order to continue my 'O' and 'A' level education at Addey & Stanhope Grammar School in Deptford.
Ben Odeje was a central figure at the start of the interactive black 'n' white football debate in the 1960s/70s, and I would love to show him my CV in 2011 that proudly states that I beat Sir Ian Blair the Met Commissioner, and the IPCC at Judicial Review on February 28th 2007 in relation to my individual FOOTBALL AGAINST RACISM IN EUROPE 1991-2011 City Challenge development case.
A orchestrated media blackout accompanied this remarkable achievement, and what has happened since then is a shameful reflection on the legal and democratic processes here in the United Kingdom.
I also passed on a book, published by the Stephen Lawrence Gallery, about the Hybrid Lives II artists and their Painting and Sculpture at Greenwich Studios, to Johann Alexander and the FA, in the hope that by linking these two organisations it will be possible to develop a mutually beneficial working relationship in 2011/12.
I immediately reported & recorded the critical KICK IT OUT interaction that occurred between me & the FA's Johann Alexander at the London Soccerdome, to the Stephen Lawrence Gallery's management team on site at the Old Royal Naval College.
My old school Addey & Stanhope were also brought 100% up to speed with these latest Thames Gateway City Challenge developments.
Our Lady of the Rosary ( http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.com/2011/05/visit-to-tomb-of-blessed-john-paul-ii.html ) pray for us!
PAPA VERO ORA PRO NOBIS!
Kind regards
Roy Hobson aka Our Lady's "Vesper" ON-LINE +
ROY HOBSON FCInstCES1990, FRICS1984,Grad Dipl QS TOO
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