ETN Speaks With Bishop Janusz Kaleta Of Holy See
Are gay tourists welcomed in the Vatican?
At the recent General Assembly of United Nations World Tourism Organization in Kazakhstan this month, eTN publisher Juergen T. Steinmetz had the opportunity to chat with Bishop Janusz Kaleta of Holy See, the Apostolic Administrator of Atyrau, a city in Kazakhstan. Modern Atyrau, famous for its oil and fish industries, has 180,000 inhabitants of which 90 percent are Kazakhs and the remainder of the population is mostly Russians with some other ethnic groups such as Tatars and Ukrainians. As such, the main religion is Islam, but Christianity is also practiced.
When eTN asked Bishop Kaleta why the Catholic Church is interested in Kazakhstan, he explained, “If someone comes to work for some period of time here, we think they should have the opportunity to come and pray in a church,” and so the church has created a presence for the 1 percent of the population that is Catholic. According to Bishop Kaleta, Kazakhstan is a relatively good democratic place where one has religious freedom. He shared, “Of course, every place has some troubles, some problems, but basically the Catholic Church is allowed to be here, and we don’t have very big problems.”
Bishop Kaleta said that tourism is important to the Vatican. Although there is no centralized body that promotes tourism, there are some coordinators and centers that advertise pilgrimages, but the main work is done in and by the churches. The Bishop said: “If you think about Europe, most of its architecture is connected with churches. It would be good to educate the people to honor these places.” He added that religious tourism in the form of pilgrimages is seen as a very good development, because “they are mostly connected not with the most rich of society; most are of average to the lower incomes.” And evidently, it is important that they reach people from all walks of life, or at least people of various financial levels.
Perhaps, though, they are not so all encompassing about tourism in the form of gay and lesbian travel. ETN asked the Bishop if the Vatican’s stand was clearly against this form of tourism, and the Bishop answered: “The church teachings are from the Bible. If we change this teaching, we will not be the Catholic Church. Don’t expect the Catholic church to change these issues, because it is our identity.” When asked if the Vatican is open to dialogue about welcoming such homosexual groups of tourists in the future, Bishop Kaleta responded that “such demonstrations are just not ethical.”
Publisher Steinmetz clarified that what was meant by gay travel was traveling for the purpose of a visit, not as a demonstration. To this the Bishop replied, “I consider if someone is homosexual, it is a provocation and an abuse of this place. Try to go to a mosque if you are not Muslim. It is abuse of our buildings and our religion because the church interprets our religion that it is not ethical. We expect respect of our church as we expect to respect that a person does not have to belong to the Catholic Church. If you have different ideas, go to a different location.”
Tourism is one of the principal sources of revenue in the economy of the Vatican City. It is a popular destination for tourists, especially Christians, wishing to see the Pope or practice their faith. The main tourist attractions in the Vatican City include the Basilica of St. Peter, Saint Peter's Square, the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and the Raphael Rooms.
Comments
However much one becomes so judge-mental to the clergy's comments I still stand to be corrected! To Christians their believe is that every human habitat has his/her do's & donts. Look here, Not every-one is impressed to what your lifestyle is like, may be, the way you talk irritates/provokes them. It might be the reason that perception from one individual to another is different. Again from biblical point of view it clarify s that keep on praying, for your sins will be forgiven. Rule out that Pastors, Priests, or Muslim religious leaders are always right! God knows better than we do. Pray to Him and you shall be forgiven. And thus do not justify ones comment to be right.
From what I can recall, non-Muslims ARE welcome to visit mosques. Bad comparison, Bishop Chuckles.
Lets not be the judge for everyone. Popes views are individuals feelings/views. He only presents feelings the way he understands the bible.For those who believe we know one day or one time the judgment day will come and each and every one of us shall receive his/her due. DO NOT JUDGE OTHERS, PRESENT VIEWS.
How typical are the comments here!
A constant spewing of hatred towards the Church and its members, while accusing the Church of hate speech. Trotting out the tired old stereotypes of gay clergy, and the Church murdering millions through the centuries does nothing to express your opinion that Bishop Kaleta's comments are wrong.
And Frank - You need to learn something about tolerance and acceptance of people different than yourself. I will pray for you to find peace
How typical are the comments here!
A constant spewing of hatred towards the Church and its members, while accusing the Church of hate speech. Trotting out the tired old stereotypes of gay clergy, and the Church murdering millions through the centuries does nothing to express your opinion that Bishop Kaleta's comments are wrong.
And Frank - You need to learn something about tolerance and acceptance of people different than yourself. I will pray for you to find peace.
Holy Christ! This confusingly written story is being spread throughout the web as an official statement from the Vatican. Bishop Kaleta is a total nobody from Kazakhstan. He is not a spokesperson for anyone but himself. Certainly not the Vatican. There are lunatics everywhere, in every religion. Completely irresponsible reporting.
Here is an excellent example of the Catholic Church's sense of morality - they don't deny that horrific abuse took place at this children's home in York, England. But they are paying lawyers to try to get out of paying any compensation. The church leadership is despicable - these people have absolutely no right to preach morality to the rest of us.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/nov/15/catholic-church-child-abuse-cla...
Religion is an excuse for postmodern man to preserve medieval bigoted ideals.
Ehhhh - this is not really worth a news story, or a lot of jumping and screaming. This is just one not-very-bright guy's not very well spoken/written opinion. His comments don't even really make much SENSE, ferchrissake.
I hope Bisho Kaleta knows who are the master builders of Vatican...
They are the greatest artists, all God's loving creatures.... Michaelangelo..
He himself should stay away from such magnificent places build and designed by gays!
Is Bisho Kaleta trying to bark out loud in order to be promoted?? Most likely.
Just wait to see him promoted to be a Cardinal in the next conclave, most likely to the Congregation of Doctrines.
No wonder the world is full of hatred!
Vatican would be half empty if they ban gays.
Bishop Kaleta is preaching hate instead of love and compassion. Gay tourists are not welcomed, what about gay clergy??
Brian writes:
>Christ told us we would be insulted and >persecuted for His sake.
Christians in Africa are engaged in a campaign of genocide against gays and they imagine that they are the ones persecuted?
>Will the day soon come when a pastor >proclaiming from the pulpit the >Church's belief in the immorality of >homosexuality is arrested for "hate >speech?"
Two hate crimes laws were passed in 1969 and 1994 protecting your odious religion. Given Catholicism's historical tendency of mass murdering groups who disagree with the pope, everyone will be relieved to know that history's greatest persecutor of free thought and free speech was unable to use hate crimes laws as speech codes.
Fuck you and the cross you rode into town on, Brian.
Christianist and Islamist Straight Supremacy is EVIL.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
What's worse gay or pedophile ?
Nobody is asking by the entrance to the church about sexual orientation, but is asking about respect in behavior, cloths…
Should the church cooperate (make money) with the gay and lesbian travel agencies?
Try to go to a mosque if you are not Muslim – of course nonsense Herr Steinmetz.
but
Try to go to a mosque in the organized gay or lesbian group.
From Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (UN)
2. Tourism policies and activities should be conducted with respect for the artistic, archaeological and cultural heritage,(...) with respect for the rights of their owners, as well as to religious buildings, without prejudice to normal needs of worship;
http://www.unwto.org/ethics/principles/en/article_4.php
This bishop has obviously never heard of the many hundreds of mosques around the world that are open to all visitors.
To use them in his argument is just causing rift where there often is none.
Is it a qualification of the new breed of bishops that they be homophobes or closet cases? Intelligence and human maaturity certainly do not seem to be criteria. But maybe this bishop is Baron Cohen in disguise?
Hate speech? The only hate I'm sensing is from the comments of the Christophobes. The Catholic Church is the last unwavering bastion of decency and common sense in the world, therefore it is a target for the enmity of those who refuse to listen to its wisdom.
Christ told us we would be insulted and persecuted for His sake. Will the day soon come when a pastor proclaiming from the pulpit the Church's belief in the immorality of homosexuality is arrested for "hate speech?"
God bless Bishop Kaleta for not giving in to political correctness!
I'm not Muslim, but I went into a Mosque in Casablanca Morocco and enjoyed its beauty, as well as the beauty of the hosts inside. I was not treated unwelcome in any way. The only thing they asked was that I take off my shoes at the front door.
I am Roman Catholic, and I'm appalled by the comments by the Bishop. Just because he is a Bishop, it doesn't mean he isn't Satan in a silk robe.
See http://relijournal.com/christianity/vatican-scandals-five-bad-popes-in-p...
Let's be honest - the function of the Catholic Church is to sustain itself and to do so at the expense of those who do not abide its stated polices. It is a bastion of men who believe in male domination, who pervert the truth and claim an entity like a "God" would write such an absurd interpretation of facts and then demand their believers adhere to these dictates or face damnation for all eternity. The human experience is quite extraordinary but between all the unknowns and the fears encouraged about them by those who claim some divine knowledge & connection with "God" - in whatever male perverted form they manifest him - most are willing to sacrifice a genuine experience in favor of submission to these absurd and archaic beliefs. Why are we so quick to forget that they are delivered by a band of disingenuous liars who not only molest children on a massive scale but will go to great lengths to protect them afterwards? Who not only sexually abuse their flock but physically, mentally & emotionally abuse them as well? They have encouraged and enabled countless acts of violence throughout history and they were the backing force behind monarchy's in their effort to subjugate the world and rob their resources from them. The vile truth about the Catholic Church is ignored while they deflect by invoking issues like abortion and homosexuality. How long will so much of humanity allow fear to deprive them of a true experience of the spiritual beings they are - having a wonderful experience as a human?
Ouch, Bishop! I pray that you do not believe you speak for all "Christians"! I do not believe Christ would have limited who can and cannot see a church. I'm sorry, that's not the Jesus I read about. I am outraged for all those hurt by such sensational and ugly words and thoughts. As a believer in Christ I am seriously offended and shocked that someone who represents any denomination of faith would say something as unfair and insensitive as that. It's uncalled for and out of line. I pray that the Bishop is convicted by the Spirit of God he claims to represent.
Pure hate speech!
I am gay and have been to the Vatican, et al. The catholic church is one of the greatest empires of human history. Money and control. Nothing more, nothing less. They've had to open their doors making it easier to become catholic because of their finances due to worldwide child molestation lawsuit payouts. And, they most certainly did not pay for the fabulous treasures adorning its halls. The catholic church is surely the most far-reaching sinister entity on this planet, and the pope its wicked emperor.
I wonder what this *insert appropriate term for homophobic thinker* would say if he knew nearly 50% of our 3000+ GLBT travelers on a cruise paid our entrance fees, some with private tour guides, to view the art collection, tour Vatican City, and some attending mass?
Meh, they stole, excuse me, acquired the collection through illicit means by having illiterate people sign documents that forfeited their stuff when the head of household died. That is the true sin.
Who does Kaleta think were the people that decorated and designed the Vatican? Michelangelo - gay. Botticelli - gay. Bernini - gay. What a complete idiot. The Catholic Church is a business foremost, and they'll never turn away a tourist if they have money in their hands, no matter which gay person they're attached to.
What a DOUCHENOZZLE!
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