London, GB | Formerly of New York, Buenos Aires, Fife, and the Western Cape. | Saoránach d’Éirinn.

Published at 3:18 pm on Monday 30 November 2009. Categories: Flags World Tags: , .
Comments

God bless the Swiss!
The tide has turned.

Baron v Hetterscheidt 30 Nov 2009 7:12 pm

Yes, God bless the Swiss!
And thank the Saints that the sons of Switzerland are protecting the Pope – this defense of their homeland is a prophetic – reminiscent of a scene from the Lord of the Rings – “You shall NOT pass.”

Byron 30 Nov 2009 11:19 pm

I feel that the ban was not needed. The minarets in Switzerland are not used to call Muslims to prayer, they are silent and always have been.

OakRidge 1 Dec 2009 2:15 pm

Not being Swiss voters, nor Swiss residents, none of our opinions have any particular importance.

Andrew Cusack 1 Dec 2009 3:04 pm

Our opinions are indeed of little import, unless they inspire us to a spirit of steely resolve. Otherwise, do not doubt it, we are lost.

Baron v Hetterscheidt 2 Dec 2009 1:26 pm

Surely the ban is symbolic unless it is followed up with a reform of immigration policy.

Dino Marcantonio 2 Dec 2009 3:59 pm

Swiss catholic bishops were against the ban, though. How can you, as a Catholic, actually support the ban of minarets? You may want to elaborate on this in some future blog post.

Anon 3 Dec 2009 7:53 am

1) Where I have said anything about the minarets ban, except for “Not being Swiss voters, nor Swiss residents, none of our opinions have any particular importance.”?

2) You seem to misunderstand the nature of bishops conferences. They have almost no authority whatsoever, and Catholics are perfectly free to disregard their recommendations. As for the actual ordinary diocesan bishop of whichever diocese a Catholic lives in, he is the one who has actually authority over a Catholic.

3) But even so, if your bishop makes recommendations as to an architectural-cultural matter such as this, which does not directly impact the Catholic faith, while Catholic voters should of course take into consideration the public thoughts of their diocesan bishop, they must remember that bishops are entirely fallible (especially, experience would show, in matters of architectural taste).

4) The Swiss bishops in recent decades have not been enthusiastic supporters of Catholicism, so their pronouncements should be viewed with suspicion. (To a non-Catholic, it may seem odd that Catholic bishops not be keen on Catholicism. But think how odd their lack of enthusiasm seems to Catholics!)

Andrew Cusack 3 Dec 2009 9:39 am

1) You are correct. I interpreted your posting a picture of the Swiss flag on this particular date as 1000 words in approval/support of … well, something. I jumped to a conclusion it is about the referendum result. But it could as well be, for example, simply in approval of the fact that an important thing was brought before the people to decide democratically, regardless of their decision. I apologize. (I occasionally need a reminder why I prefer to comment rarely, and whenever, then anonimously.)

2,3,4) Even though the bishops are not infallible, they are still the shepherds of their flocks, and the laity looks to them for guidance. For some Catholics, it is very uncomfortable to vote contrary to what their church leaders advise.

Thank you that you have replied to my (quite testy) comment. Now I return to anonimity.

Anon 3 Dec 2009 11:47 am
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