Bishop uses Good Friday to defend pig's heart hanging in Church.

Bishop Glettler on the pig's heart in the chancel: "The actual topic was almost lost in the noise".

The Bishop has also thinks that a crucified frog is art, so his arguments will never wash.

During Lent in Innsbruck, a large photo of a bound pig's heart hung in the sanctuary of the Citykirche. This caused a scandal. Bishop Hermann Glettler was "massively slandered" because of it. Nevertheless, he defends the contemporary Lenten cloth - and sees a spiritual dimension in it. It is not the first time he has caused a stir with contemporary art in his churches.

Until a week ago, there was a photo installation in the Spitalskirche in Innsbruck. What was on display?

Bishop Hermann Glettler*: On display was a large-format photograph by Peter Garmusch. The Austrian photo artist had taken a picture of a pig's heart, which was tied up with a rubber ring. It seems to float in space. There are several aspects that make this photographic work a touching work of art of our time.

An oversized pig's heart is supposed to be touching?

Glettler: Yes, why not? The fact that you put the emphasis on "pig's heart" is already due to a one-sided perception. What is touching is the constriction that can be detected at first glance, the oppressive feeling of being constricted, not at all the fact whether this organ comes from an animal or a human being.

Why did the artist choose a pig's heart?

Glettler: The artist chose a pig's heart because it is extremely close to the human heart and was easier to obtain for his photographic work. What is really challenging is the photo-realistic representation. It is not usual to have unadorned physicality so directly in front of one's eyes in a church interior.

Many Catholics were outraged by the Lenten hanging. There was even a petition against the work of art.

Glettler: There was relatively little criticism in the immediate vicinity of the church. Positive and negative opinions were rather balanced. Beyond that, however, a petition was organised that spread quite a bit of outrage. The information of the signatories was based almost exclusively on scandalising reports produced by a relevant media.

"They even engaged in massive defamation of my person."

What did you do to take the faithful seriously?

Glettler: Before Holy Week, I had the Lenten hanging taken down so as not to overlay the spiritual focus of Holy Week with an incited art debate. It was an attempt to reach an understanding, as some people had become entrenched in an aggressive rejection. They even engaged in a massive slander of my person. It is important to also take seriously those who got involved with the message of the painting. Many touching feedbacks, some only after the Lenten hanging had been removed. The actual theme was almost lost in the noise, the longing for inner liberation and reconciliation.

In what way?

Glettler: For the entire diocese, we have placed the spiritual emphasis on reconciliation. That is why this photographic work was hung in the City Church. The question is how we can succeed in overcoming the dramatic constrictions of the heart in our time. I am convinced that only through reconciliation can there be a better quality of life. Reconciliation loosens the inner fetters. It is a gift from God and a mission that we have to face.

"Art and genuine Christian faith are not harmless after all!"

You are known for showing contemporary art in churches during Lent. You are always met with criticism. Why do you still risk confrontation every year?

Glettler: I am certainly not interested in cheap provocation. Nevertheless, I would like to ask the faithful to engage with the central themes of today, also with the help of art. I understand this as an invitation to train our compassion, above all to learn to pray in solidarity. If God allowed his heart to be mortally wounded, then we must not confuse our faith with a feel-good programme. Art and genuine Christian faith are not harmless! Something can mature through constructive confrontation.

Last year, a picture of a queer political activist with a naked upper body hung in the altar room of the University Church.

Glettler: The photograph by the Austrian artist Carmen Brucic was also intended to inspire compassion - in the spirit of the traditional Lenten hanging. The large-format cloth entitled "tired" showed a young man lying on a mattress with his head down. His overall impression unmistakably signalled tiredness and mental exhaustion. This artwork also served as an image to represent the many states of exhaustion of our time. The young man in the picture had Ukrainian roots and as a child had to witness the Russian attack on Georgia in the Caucasus war.

"We cannot afford to serve pious special worlds."

Cathcon: Says the bishop who is creating his own very weird world

What does that have to do with the Christian message?

Glettler: Very much! The proclamation of Jesus wants to reach our hearts in the middle of this wounded world. We cannot afford to serve pious special worlds. Many people are dominated by a feeling of powerlessness in the face of the trouble spots of our time. They have the impression that they cannot help shape the many processes of change. Personal excessive demands and old burdens of offenses and disappointments can also drive us into exhaustion. Taking in God's heart energy, letting ourselves be renewed by Him, is what our Easter faith is all about, isn't it?

Back to the provocative heart photo, i.e. the art installation this year: Is this photographic work to be understood as a Sacred Heart image?

Glettler: No, not at all. Peter Garmusch took this photo without a religious context. Unfortunately, this was also communicated completely wrongly in the text of the petition. The fact is that at least in the Tyrol we have become accustomed to the many images of the Sacred Heart. We hardly recognise their exciting significance any more. The Heart of Jesus, wounded and surrounded by flames, is supposed to represent the passionate heartbeat of God. It is his longing to touch our hearts and set them free from all false attachments.

"Perhaps we need to relearn lamentation as a form of Christian prayer."

Cathcon: Some of us never forgot it Herr Bishop!

How do you look forward to this year's Good Friday?

Glettler: In view of the many upheavals of our time, Good Friday has even greater significance. The arms of the Crucified are spread over the whole earth in consolation and forgiveness. This year, we are especially mindful of the situation of those suffering the effects of the devastating war in Ukraine. Perhaps we need to relearn lamentation as a form of Christian prayer. In all our powerlessness, we can entrust the distress of our wounded world to God.

What does Easter 2023 mean to you?

Glettler: Easter is a celebration of confidence that every form of hatred and contempt for humanity will not ultimately triumph. Whatever experiences there are that paralyse and constrict the human heart - through an Easter encounter with the risen Lord, new life is possible, forgiveness and liberation. His peace is stronger than any fear, no matter how constricting. Easter is synonymous with courage for the future.

*Hermann Glettler has been Bishop of Innsbruck since 2017. In the Austrian Bishops' Conference, he is the Bishop for Marriage and Family and "responsible" for the area of art and culture.

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