Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Femen feminists attack Archbishop Andre-Joseph Leonard of Mechelen-Brussels, Belgium


"Scantily clad activists of feminist group Femen invaded a conference at a university in Brussels. During the act, demonstrators threw water on the Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels, Andre-Joseph Leonard. The priest did not react and avoided looking at the activists. The protest was against homophobia, according to international agencies. At the end of the demonstration, the archbishop kissed a picture of the Virgin Mary to leave the room. Born in Ukraine and with subsidiaries in several countries (including Brazil and nations with a Muslim majority), the Femen often campaigning for the rights of women and minorities. One of their banners is the defense of gay marriage."



BRUSSELS (AFP) - The Catholic Church in Belgium on Wednesday angrily denounced Femen topless protesters who targeted its primate at a conference though the archbishop himself remained composed and apparently at prayer throughout.

The four protesters leapt out of their seats at a debate on blasphemy and freedom of expression held at the Brussels' Free University (ULB) campus Tuesday evening, baring their breasts and squirting water at Archbishop Andre Leonard as they accused him of homophobia.


Security guards threw the women out of the hall within minutes as the archbishop remained quietly seated, his hands crossed apparently in prayer.

The Belgian religious leader, a known conservative, has often been criticised for his stand on gay issues.
In March he said homosexuals should practise "a form of celibacy and abstinence" and welcomed protests in France against its gay marriage legislation.

The Church in a statement denounced "the attitude of a few persons... in total contradiction with the theme of the debate and with the manner in which the Catholic Church hopes for dialogue".


"At the end of the demonstration, the archbishop kissed a picture of the Virgin Mary to leave the room."

Link to AFP story

4 comments:

  1. What is ironic about this episode is that while these activists like to talk a good game about "homophobia" and "tolerance" they themselves do practice what they themselves preach. First they were lewd in their conduct by going topless and then spraying the Archbishop with water. I was happy to see how he conducted himself after that incident and had he reacted differently it would have made him look like a "hater" so he turned the other cheek. Tolerance in action LOL.

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  2. I agree Katalina. I am happy for the archbishop and he has a new fan and supporter in me. I am not Catholic but it is wrong the way he was treated but so be it. He follows the man of sorrows who was reviled and rejected, the lord Jesus Christ. It is better to suffer with Gods people and with Christ as Christ endures and suffers with him and in him. Blessed are you when men speak all manner of evil of you and you suffer for righteousnesses sake. It is not always easy but he did the Christian thing and I wish him more strength and blessing. Jesus also said the world will hate his followers as it hated him. So this hatred towards him is not a sign of him doing anything wrong but right by faithfully following his lord even into suffering. He did the right thing for Gods sake to sanctify Gods name and reputation. The flesh would want to retaliate but if he did he would have looked undignified and unspiritual. Keep it up sir knowing that you are a model for others that you do not even know. I just heard of you today.

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  3. I completely agree with both previous comments. This man is an example!

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  4. Turn the other cheek. Act, knowing that rights always come hand in hand with responsibility.

    R and R means rights and responsibility, not rest and relaxation. These women suffer for not knowing that, but the Priest will not as he does know it.

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