Cardinal chased away from Aachen pilgrimage

Woelki participation in Mass cancelled

The Cloak of Our Lady

After protests, Cardinal Woelki of Cologne will not be holding a service in Aachen after all. The criticism of Woelki had been sparked by his role in dealing with the abuse scandal. The Bishop of Aachen, Helmut Dieser, and Woelki decided not to hold a joint service as part of the pilgrimage to the shrine, the Aachen Diocese said on Saturday afternoon. Instead, the provost of the cathedral and director of the pilgrimage, Rolf-Peter Cremer, and Helmut Dieser are to stand at the altar on Sunday.

Woelki warned against instrumentalisation of church services for protest after the decision was announced. "I would have come to Aachen as a pilgrim, as would many thousands. I am convinced that it must be possible among Christians to have different opinions and to represent them clearly - and yet to celebrate the Holy Eucharist together."

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