Horror Mass: "Circus Liturgy" in Solothurn -- The Simony of Circus Priest Heller

(Zurich) Horror Missae. The liturgical abuse took place in December of 2012. But the Advent season is approaching and with it the danger of a repetition of this liturgical elefantism in a china shop. Children's Relief Bethlehem opened up their Christmas fundraising campaign with a "worship in the circus tent" in Circus GO (Gasser Olympia) in Solothurn  .

Contortionists and belly dancers were mustered for the "Circus Liturgy", which was celebrated by Canon and Cathedral Pastor Paul Rutz with "Circus Priest" Ernst Heller. The body of Christ was carried from the table at the circus gala in a wooden bowl and distributed to the gala participants (worshippers) seated at tables.

"The collection in the Christmas worship services was to support the financial foundation for securing work in the Caritas Baby Hospital in Bethlehem," as the Children's Aid Bethlehem writes. Paul Rutz, Resident since 2006, is canon for the area of Solothun in the diocese of Basel and Cathedral Pastor of Solothurn, retired since last June due to age. He is also Vice President of the Children's Relief Bethlehem. Already in December 2011, the Mass was celebrated in Solothurn by the two priests in a "Circus Liturgy" for the Children's Aid Bethlehem. It could not be ascertained if there is one planned for 2013.

"Circus pastor" Ernst Heller from the canton of Lucerne is in charge of the traveler people (Gypsies). After the completion of the Catechetical Institute Lucerne, he worked as a catechist and studied theology from 1977 to 1979 in Lucerne and Chur. In 1980 he was ordained a priest and worked in parish ministry. He was also appointed to the circus and fairground chaplain in 1999. There is nothing wrong so far. Since August 2005, he occupied the office full time and obviously quite arbitrarily.

According to his own report, he hasn't received a "consistent salary" from the Catholic Church, which is why he receives "honorarium fees". On his own website, you can order the "circus priest's" quite unorthodox "book" and learn also about the "honoraria". Costs at a baptism for a "priest" according to Heller's fee table, costs 500-1,000 Swiss francs plus VAT. A wedding ceremony costs 1,000-2,000 Swiss francs, an annual memorial service and "liturgical celebrations" cost CHF 500-1,000, a funeral service with burial 800-2000 CHF. The prices are for individuals. "Donation fees" for legal entities must be requested separately. Same price for the Federal Republic of Germany, Austria, Italy and France, but in Euros, in each case for a half day. A full day costs a premium of 50 percent. Travel expenses will be charged separately with Swiss francs per kilometer journey. The circus pastor even charges "cancellation fees". If the cancellation occurs 30 days prior to the occasion, it calculates 50 percent, then 100 percent. These "fees" are strictly prohibited canonically.

Link to katholisches...