
I have no idea which Cardinal would be a good Pope, but I am beginning to think that Belgium’s Cardinal Danneels might not be the best choice. “Muslim group transforms chapel in Brussels as Cardinal Danneels departs for Rome,” from the Catholic Church Conservation Blogspot, with thanks to Paolo:
In the centre of Brussels, there is the beautiful Church of the Minimes. It contains a Chapel in the form of the Holy House of Loretto which was built at the same time as the Church. A house of low repute was demolished to make way for the Church and there used to be an inscription in the Church, “Where once stood a temple of Venus, now stands a shrine to Our Blessed Lady.” But now can it be said?
The Chapel is now being desecrated by an occupation by a group of Kurds. They claim to be on hunger strike. Why choose a Catholic Church when there are so many other places in Belgium to protest? But is the Chapel now being used as a mosque? The Vicariat of Brussels have neither confirmed nor denied this, despite several e-mails. The altar has been moved. The statue of Our Lady has been covered by a cloth in such a way that she is mostly hidden from the eyes of the occupants….
There is a track record of occupations of Belgian Churches by Muslim groups. The Beguinage Church, one witness alleged was “trashed”. This is more than supported by its present state. The Church of the Holy Cross has been occupied. The Church of the Minimes was also occupied two years ago. Children were seen sitting in the priests’ chairs in the sanctuary.
The Church authorities no longer defend the inheritance of the Churches. In the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a banner hangs bearing the name of Allah.
