In his annual Christmas address, Bishop Karl-Heinz Wiesemann of Speyer implored the faithful to stay connected to the world's troubles rather than turning a blind eye. As reported in a press release, Wiesemann, addressing the congregation during the mass in the cathedral on Monday, urged people to steer clear of apathy. He emphasized, "We must stand firm against those who sow discord in our society with their venomous resentment, their fear of the unfamiliar, and their hate towards outsiders." The Bishop highlighted the significance of preserving the 'language of love.'
Looking around the world, it's difficult to remain optimistic. "There are a plethora of malefactors worldwide who work relentlessly to erode our faith in mankind's unity, in what binds us all together," he lamented. "They preach hostility and stir up dissent; they promote violence and conflict, relegating human dignity to the margins, and playing power games over corpses without batting an eyelid."
Bishop Wiesemann underscored the resilience of the Christmas message, a familiar sentiment from our childhood, that serves to cultivate and sustain peace and equity. "What would the world be like without this faith, without this reminder of our shared essence?" he pondered. In an increasingly loud and crude world, "the voices we believed had long been silenced have resurfaced with renewed vigor," he observed, leaving him taken aback at the rapid increase in their following.
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- In the face of the challenges that Rhineland-Palatinate and the world face, Bishop Karl-Heinz Wiesemann of Speyer encouraged the faithful to prioritize love and unity during his Christmas address.
- In his sermon, Wiesemann condemned the spread of division and hatred, and emphasized the imperative of resisting such forces in order to safeguard human dignity and advocate for peace and fairness, joined by the Church in Speyer.
- He reflected on the significance of the Christmas message, which functions as a moving testament to our shared human experience and shared roots, and urged the faithful to uphold this vital belief in the face of mounting intolerance and divisive voices.
Enrichment Data Integration: Wiesemann, the Bishop, has also stated his support for blessings for same-sex unions and criticized legislation that infringes upon religious freedoms. He recently issued a statement, acting in his capacity as Bishop, in response to the Education Freedom Act in Tennessee, voicing concerns about its potential implications for religious education.
