"Hands Off My Church" -- Young Catholics Call for Silent March Against Hostility to Catholics in Avignon

(Avignon) On Monday, the 20th of May a march will take place in the south French city of Avignon against anti-Christianity, The initiative is being planned by a group of young Catholics. They are reacting with it against the increasing violence against priests, religious and ecclesiastical facilities in the city of St. Ruf. The most recent incident was a violent attack of four suspected North African Muslims against a priest of the St. John Society on May 13th.  The four attackers struck the priest unconscious.

The march isn't only directed against the antagonistica and aggressive disposition of parts of the Muslim  inhabitants of the city, rather in general against the anti-Church climate.  In the demonstration, the organizers deplore the scandal "Piss Christ" from April 2011, as a museum in Avignon as an "art work" of a crucifix placed in the urine of the "artist".  Or against the insulting parades through the streets of the "city of the Popes" and the damage of a cemetery of Valréas.  "The anti-Christian hate grows (blasphemous theater pieces, desecrated churches etc...)"  is named in the outcry of the young Catholics.  "We are complaining with emphasis on the lack of a reaction by the authorities and a part of the media, when it comes to the desecration and profanation and we complain with stress on the absence of any reaction against the violent attack on a man of the Church."

The initiators also call out not to tolerate hostility to the Church. "We observe the Cathophobia as an attack against the identity of France of of the French."  The young Catholics are calling upon the "World culture and the homo-lobby".

The young Catholics call upon the  "World Culture and the homo-lobby", in their struggle against homophobia, "to put a stop to our defamation". [Good luck with that.]

"We appeal that the State President and the Interior Minister who are so prompt to condemn the poor situation of Muslims, hostility against Islam and anti-Semitism, to do their duty by Catholics, who have been defamed and injured by anti-Christian attacks.  We are not second class citizens."

With their appeal, the initiators call upon "all people of good will", to "take part in our protest" themselves.  The March begins on Monday, the 20th of May at 2pm at the Place du Palais of the Popes.   "We hope that many French Muslims and Jewish believers will take part in the silent march".   A logo has been created for the demonstration.  A black edged, yellow hand with the slogan:  "Hands off of My Church".  The colors recall on the Identity Movement, a structureless, informal and spontaneous new movement,  which has its origin in France.


Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Bild: Una Fides

Link to katholisches...

Religious Priest Attacked in "Arab-Islamic Zone" of Avignon -- Archbishop Denounces Increasing Violence

(Avignon) A priest of the Catholic Community of St. John was assaulted on Monday night on the open road. The attackers, four men of North African origin, presumably Muslims, beat up Father Gregoire,  till two other members of the Communauté de Saint-Jean came to the rescue. Father Gregoire was lying unconscious on the ground. He was taken to hospital, where he stayed overnight for observation. He suffered numerous bruises, bruises and a broken nose.

The incident occurred in the southern French city of Avignon. Father Gregoire was, as is usual for the Community of St. John, on the street in the habit.

Monsignor Jean-Pierre Cattenoz, the Archbishop of Avignon was at a Tuesday morning press conference to publicize the serious aggression. The archbishop called for increased security measures in the district of Saint Ruif. Monsignor Cattenoz complained increasing attacks against Catholic priests and religious Affected were mostly members of the Community of St. John, which are particularly active in the pastoral district.

The neighborhood, named after the saintly founder of the city,  is today the "Arab-Muslim region of Avignon," in which was "Sharia in Action", the Observatoire de l'islamization .

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: Observatoire de la Christianophobia

French Benedictine Sisters Top Pop Charts in UK

New Gregorian-CD of Benedictines from Avignon is on the English Top 15 List -- The Gregorian Choir Speaks "to the Soul".

Paris (kath.net) The French Benedictines of Notre Dame de l'Annonciation of Avignon have made a CD with their Gregorian songs and have stormed the UK Top 15 of the British charts.  The album reflects with the songs to profession of the withdrawn lives of the Sisters:  "The Gregorian Choir helps us to draw completely close to the Lord God.  He doesn't speak to the senses, rather to the soul", explained a Sister to nanoo.com. In the internet commentary of a Youtube-blogger girl said of the music:  "that is so beautiful... I don't know anything about God, but Catholics make such wonderful music!"

The Community of the Benedictine Sisters of Notre Dame de l'Annonciation was founded in  1979 and has its home in Le Barroux, in the vicinity of France's province of Avignon.  The Sisters lead a furtive, withdrawn life devoted to prayer and work.  Their sung prayers have finally become known outside the borders of France as they have signed a record contract with Decca in London.  Now a chart success is the result.

kathtube: listening sample and interview with Sisters.





Link to kath.net original...