Trouw, 4 February 2010

Poles, Africans, Gays - begone!

Published on 4 February 2010 at 12:16
Trouw, 4 February 2010

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Although there is a dramatic shortage of clergymen in Belgium, the bishop of Bruges and the new (and already controversial) archbishop of Brussels do not wish to hire priests who come from Poland. According to Dutch newspaper Trouw the transition from rather religious Poland to secularized Belgium would be too much of a shock. “The priests wil be disillusioned”, says archbishop André-Joseph Léonard. Nor do they want to recruit Africas. Says Bishop of Bruges Roger Vangheluwe: “African priests would be more useful in their home countries. And what would be their motives? Saving our church or just coming over to Belgium for a better life?”. According to La Libre Belgique, nor are gays welcome according to the new head of Belgian church: Mgr Leonard recently stirred up controversy by saying that homosexuality is "not normal", just as anorexia "is not within the logic of appetite".

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