The Unholy Sleepers of Brussels: Asylum Seekers Desecrate Church

From the desk of Chris Gillibrand on Sat, 2008-04-12 14:05

Asylum seekers desecrate a Catholic church in Brussels as they re-occupy the Church of the Beguinage. This first occured in 2000, when they trashed the place. Now, with the full permission of the parish priest -- this is, after all, the parish whose biggest event in the year is a Multi-Cultural Picnic in the square in front of the Church.

Outside the Church

And inside. When I can find someone in authority, will find out if the Blessed Sacrament is still reserved. In the meantime, sympathisers and asylum seekers turn the nave into a place for chat.

The South Aisle

Banner strung between confessionals which are used for storage.

South aisle from the other direction

The altar of Our Lady of Sorrows.

The Sacred Heart altar

Lifting the blue curtain -- to reveal two women chatting away and the Sacred Heart altar laden with rubbish.

The Welcome Office in the Church -- welcome to asylum seekers but to no-one else.

Another confessional wardrobe

Some screens -- the advert is for a Pispottenfestival.

The Unholy Sleepers of Brussels

On another noticeboard --

The asylum seekers are watched over by The Hand. Incredibly, it is meant to represent the Hidden Hand of Adam Smith's economics. What is this doing in Church?

Another poster -- Become Scandalously Fraternal -- a parody advert for a Church charity which parodies a lottery poster -- Become Scandalously Rich.

Its a scandal alright -- there are hundreds of halls to occupy in Belgium. Why desecrate a Church?

See also Muslim Group transforms Chapel.

  

More on this topic:

Belgian Church Organizes Illegal Immigrants, 5 May 2006

Allah Takes Over Catholic Church, 7 May 2006

Muhammad Takes Over Protestant Church, 8 May 2006

Vatican Representative Supports Church Squatters, 10 May 2006

Bishops in Ever Deeper Pickle over Support for Illegal Aliens, 11 May 2006

 

@ peter

Submitted by Atlanticist911 on Tue, 2008-04-15 17:41.

If you are truly as ethical as you claim, prove it by offering some of those church desecrating asylum seekers a new life in YOUR house, then,  contact a few of your friends, each of whom will share similar views to yourself, and persuade them to take in the remainder.(If they are as ethical as you, they shouldn't take much persuading).When you've done all that, get back to me, and we'll talk some more.  

@ peter

Submitted by Atlanticist911 on Mon, 2008-04-14 15:18.

And so, the debate turns full circle, and we are left asking ourselves the pertinent question,  who is ultimately responsible for the plight of these individuals, and who should feel the most guilt? I say all responsibility and guilt lies squarely with their own government(s), while you appear to blame yourself and try to implicate me in your personal guilt trip.Well, sorry, that just ain't gonna happen. Clearly, on this subject, we should agree to disagree. 

@atlanticist

Submitted by peter vanderheyden on Tue, 2008-04-15 17:02.

I think that a wise and ethical man always looks first at his own acts and what he can do to alter someone’s plight, before looking for the person who could be hold accountable for that person’s misfortune. Or is that a typical leftish way of thinking?

priorities ( @ peter 2 )

Submitted by Atlanticist911 on Mon, 2008-04-14 14:30.

I try to care about (i.e. have sympathy for/empathy with) everybody, but I have a tendency to prioritise. I place family before friends, friends before acquaintances, acquaintancies before strangers and strangers before known enemies. Tell me, Peter, where am I going wrong?

@atlantis (2)

Submitted by peter vanderheyden on Mon, 2008-04-14 14:52.

“Where am I going wrong?”

Nowhere, I can assure you. The priorities putted forwards by you are very honorable. Provided we have to chose between whom to harm and whom to save. The Problem is: I don’t see the harm inflicted on my friends or acquaintances by giving these people a chance to live.

@ peter

Submitted by Atlanticist911 on Mon, 2008-04-14 13:58.

Caring is one thing, but guilt and responsibility are another thing entirely.

Sleeping with a clear conscience

Submitted by Atlanticist911 on Mon, 2008-04-14 12:46.

If, as we are repeatedly told, all cultures are equal, and 'We' are no better than 'Them', I see no reason why 'We' should feel guilty about the way in which other cultures treat their own people, and I certainly do not intend losing any sleep over it.

@atlantis

Submitted by peter vanderheyden on Mon, 2008-04-14 13:41.

“I certainly do not intend losing any sleep over it.”

Well, I do. But that's probably because I have a real father and mother and their two children in mind. They are in Belgium for several years now. Honest decent people, with children well integrated and good students in our local school. You see, it becomes harder if those people suddenly get a real face. Well, for me it gets harder. The VB politicians in our town don’t seem to mind. But then I think you’ll have to dig very deep under their prejudices and harsh principles to find a conscience, let alone a hart.

Iranians

Submitted by peter vanderheyden on Mon, 2008-04-14 09:48.

I can at least understand the Iranians. We all know what kind of a regime there is in that country. Sending them back can result in cruelties against them. They’ll do what ever is possible to stay here. I can’t understand that we can send people to “the axis of evil” (not my words) and still sleep with a clear conscience.

 

@Amsterdamsky

Submitted by onecent on Sat, 2008-04-12 22:16.

Let's see if I understand you correctly, because you are an atheist it's ok to trash other people's places of worship.  Your statement paints you as an arrogant mindless jerk, but, then, you knew that. 

More pictures

Submitted by Esther on Sat, 2008-04-12 19:06.

This protest was supposed to end April 10.  The original report said about forty people had occupied the church a month ago, mostly Iranian, Moroccans and Algerians.  Later reports say 60 and 150 people.

Photos are available from Indymedia here and here, as well as a video report. (French and Dutch)

Islam In Europe