Catholic priest speaks for all Faithful Catholics in their revulsion of the slime Jesus Nativity broadcast

The Christmas Eve service broadcast by ARD continues to cause a stir.

Reactions to the service, which the German public broadcaster ARD aired from Stuttgart on Christmas Day, are still pouring in. They range from disbelief to outrage.

During the live broadcast from the Catholic Church of St. Mary in Stuttgart, an adult man, wrapped in wet rice paper, lay on a pile of straw in the manger. The actor, who breathed only through a straw, was meant to represent the Christ Child. The artist Milena Lorek created the installation specifically for the service.

Many television viewers, Christians, and even worshippers who attended the service in person, associated the sight of this "slime Jesus" with an alien. They found it deeply repulsive.

The Christmas Eve service from Stuttgart caused a major uproar on social media.

Comments such as "disgusting," "hurtful," and "sick" continue to pour in. The criticism indicates that a large proportion of Croatians living in German-speaking countries are also shocked by this artistic installation.

Now, Zvonko Tolić OFM, head of the Croatian Catholic Mission in Berlin and former long-time head of the Croatian Catholic Mission in Stuttgart, has spoken out in an open letter regarding the televised Christmas Mass from Stuttgart.

We are publishing his letter, which was first posted on his Facebook page, in its entirety here:

Public letter from Catholic priest Zvonko Tolic regarding the televised Christmas Mass from Stuttgart:

As a Catholic priest who for many years was responsible for the pastoral care of Croatian believers in Stuttgart, I am writing to the public with deep personal concern. In my priestly ministry, however, I have always experienced that the faith of the Church transcends the boundaries of language, origin, and nation. Precisely for this reason, I cannot and must not remain silent when many Catholics—regardless of their origin—feel their faith has been offended.

The televised Christmas Mass from Stuttgart deeply affected me and numerous other believers. What—along with the Easter Vigil—is one of the holiest nights of the liturgical year was presented in a manner characterized by provocative staging, sexual innuendo, and elements that could only be perceived as blasphemous. All of this was done under the guise of supposed artistic expression.

I expressly object to this.

In Stuttgart, I accompanied people – baptizing, marrying, burying, praying, hoping, and suffering with them. Among them were Croatians, Germans, and believers of other nations. For all of them, Christmas Mass is not a cultural event, but a sacred space for encountering God. That this very space has become a stage for provocation strikes me as a grave abuse of liturgical and spiritual responsibility.

From a theological perspective, Christmas is the celebration of the Incarnation of God.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14).

This mystery demands reverence. Liturgy is not an aesthetic testing ground or a projection screen for personal messages, but a service to the faith of the entire Church. Where this mystery is distorted, the service loses its inherent claim to truth.

From a moral perspective: Artistic freedom does not absolve one of responsibility. Freedom ends where it violates. The deliberate disregard of religious convictions is not a sign of courage or progress, but an expression of recklessness. A pluralistic society thrives on mutual respect—especially for the sacredness of others.

As a priest, I am particularly concerned about violations of the Christian understanding of human dignity.

“God created mankind in his own image” (Genesis 1:27).

Jesus Christ never humiliated humanity, but uplifted it. He did not provoke, but healed; not mocked, but loved. Those who celebrate in his name bear responsibility for this witness.

With all seriousness, I recall the words of Jesus:

“If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck” (Matthew 18:6).

These words serve as a warning and a test of conscience for me as a priest.

I firmly reject the notion that disrespect for the Christian faith is justified as contemporary or necessary. True art seeks truth. True freedom knows limits. True humanity respects the conscience of others.

This letter is not an attack, but a testimony.

Not an expression of hatred, but of responsibility.

Not a call for censorship, but for reverence.

Whoever empties Christmas out of people's hearts robs them of hope.

Whoever mocks Christ violates human dignity.

As a priest connected to Stuttgart and deeply committed to the universality of the Church, I could not and would not remain silent.

Source

See German TV shocks with Baby Jesus covered in slime - video