It is perhaps worth highlighting that the word “Fleisch” not only means “meat”, but also “flesh” (John 6:54 “Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood” - “Wer aber mein Fleisch isst und mein Blut trinkt”).
I can't wait to write a noir, modernist novel with man-versus-machine-style drama in it, in which this phrase is a kind of shibboleth around which the entire plot hangs.
I am reminded of the scene in Ocean's Eleven where George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon are speaking in some weird nonsense code with Robbie Coltrane. "There are many chickens...in Westphalia."
To his apparent credit, according to media reports quoted in this article the Bishop was appalled by this.
I think a large part of the problem with the Church in Germany is a lot of the lay faithful themselves, particularly those in official or semi-official positions within the sprawling bureaucracy that is propped up by the Church Tax. To the point, I don't know that we even have 'cathedral chapters' in the US but its hard to imagine that people who devote time and energy to the goings on of a historic cathedral in the US would turn a blind eye to this.
If he was truly (and appropriately) appalled, he should have stood up and ended the circus immediately. To allow it to continue was just further insult to our Lord.
I thought this was going to be a "chicken dance" of the type done at wedding receptions and Oktoberfest. Not that it would have been okay in a church either, but I've never seen people throwing didie-wrapped chickens around at a wedding reception yet.
Also are they kidding me with this "We sincerely regret the performance offended your religious feelings" BS? Basically "There was nothing wrong with what happened except you were upset about it, and if you weren't so sensitive we wouldn't have to make this apology."
Over the years, I have read about many outrageous performances such as this taking place in Catholic churches.
From the Code of Canon Law:
Can. 1210: Only those things which serve the exercise or promotion of worship, piety, or religion are permitted in a sacred place; anything not consonant with the holiness of the place is forbidden. In an individual case, however, the ordinary can permit other uses which are not contrary to the holiness of the place.
So it's the bishop's call as to what kinds of activities take place in a Catholic church.
"Archbishop Bentz, as well as numerous invited guests and local media representatives, were reportedly truly appalled by the ensemble’s performance.”
Archbishop Bentz, it is your responsibility to ensure that Canon 1210 is followed in all the churches in your archdiocese. I'm glad you were appalled. Now you need to either personally scrutinize every request to use a Catholic church in the Paderborn Archdiocese, or you need to delegate this task to people who will follow the Canon Law of the Church.
It’s only Germans… I don’t think even the London coppers care, JUST DON’T MENTION THE WAR…
It is perhaps worth highlighting that the word “Fleisch” not only means “meat”, but also “flesh” (John 6:54 “Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood” - “Wer aber mein Fleisch isst und mein Blut trinkt”).
And they knew it!
vibes of the mid-90's Saturday Night live skit "Sprockets"
Or, for we 1980s British
https://youtu.be/5OiZNGYmvg8?si=_WvQnHi055row8Zp
"There are many chickens in Westphalia."
I can't wait to write a noir, modernist novel with man-versus-machine-style drama in it, in which this phrase is a kind of shibboleth around which the entire plot hangs.
"There are many chickens in Westphalia."
Yeah, clearly.
I bet that could win the annual Bulwer-Lytton contest for Worst Opening Sentence of a novel.
"It was a dark and stormy night...and there are many chickens in Westphalia."
The change from past to present tense makes that particularly great
I am reminded of the scene in Ocean's Eleven where George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon are speaking in some weird nonsense code with Robbie Coltrane. "There are many chickens...in Westphalia."
Luke is becoming quite the expert on German Church. Let’s just pray he doesn’t go “Synodal” on us.
I look forward to discussing this around a circular table
Schrecklich. Luke would have to start his own Substack to catalog all of the Germanic craziness
"There are many chickens in Westphalia."
This has to be the weirdest (and funniest) justification ever for having offending performances in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
I have no words.
This was performed...in a Catholic cathedral. Just...wow.
Things seem to be going really well in Germany. They're on a roll.
Particularly the chickens. That is, the chickens in Westphalia (of which there are many).
To his apparent credit, according to media reports quoted in this article the Bishop was appalled by this.
I think a large part of the problem with the Church in Germany is a lot of the lay faithful themselves, particularly those in official or semi-official positions within the sprawling bureaucracy that is propped up by the Church Tax. To the point, I don't know that we even have 'cathedral chapters' in the US but its hard to imagine that people who devote time and energy to the goings on of a historic cathedral in the US would turn a blind eye to this.
If he was truly (and appropriately) appalled, he should have stood up and ended the circus immediately. To allow it to continue was just further insult to our Lord.
I thought this was going to be a "chicken dance" of the type done at wedding receptions and Oktoberfest. Not that it would have been okay in a church either, but I've never seen people throwing didie-wrapped chickens around at a wedding reception yet.
Become a church musician. You'll see it all.
That was my expectation as well having previously seen the chicken dance performed in a German church.
Huh. I wonder if German has a word for the surreal sense of mental vertigo I experienced as my eyes moved from the headline to the lede.
Also are they kidding me with this "We sincerely regret the performance offended your religious feelings" BS? Basically "There was nothing wrong with what happened except you were upset about it, and if you weren't so sensitive we wouldn't have to make this apology."
If I ever franchise a chick fil a, and they ask me why they should put one in Westphalia, I will simply say: there are many chickens in Westphalia
Das Hühnertanzbedauern
Over the years, I have read about many outrageous performances such as this taking place in Catholic churches.
From the Code of Canon Law:
Can. 1210: Only those things which serve the exercise or promotion of worship, piety, or religion are permitted in a sacred place; anything not consonant with the holiness of the place is forbidden. In an individual case, however, the ordinary can permit other uses which are not contrary to the holiness of the place.
So it's the bishop's call as to what kinds of activities take place in a Catholic church.
"Archbishop Bentz, as well as numerous invited guests and local media representatives, were reportedly truly appalled by the ensemble’s performance.”
Archbishop Bentz, it is your responsibility to ensure that Canon 1210 is followed in all the churches in your archdiocese. I'm glad you were appalled. Now you need to either personally scrutinize every request to use a Catholic church in the Paderborn Archdiocese, or you need to delegate this task to people who will follow the Canon Law of the Church.
Westphalia, Westphalia, how I have longed to gather your children as a dancer dandles his/her chicks..