Bishop finds good in the work of the Blood Orgy Master. Claims it is alternative to desensualised modern Catholic liturgy.
Glettler: Contemporary Art in Churches- Giving Hospitality
Innsbruck bishop: "If high-quality art provokes, then that's how it has to be"
Bishop Hermann Glettler pleads for less outrage in debates about contemporary art in the church. "Provocation for its own sake is intolerable. However, if high-quality art provokes, then that's how it has to be," said Glettler to the "Neue Südtiroler Tageszeitung" (Saturday). Old and new art can “gather people from distraction and touch them deeply.” Accordingly, the Innsbruck bishop appeals for “hospitality” for contemporary art in churches, but also for rediscovering the “power and beauty” of older church art. Glettler noted that engaging with the culture of our time could prepare the ground for the church's most important cultural work: the proclamation of the Gospel. "It's a constant translation process."
In discussions about hurting religious feelings, believers should “not allow themselves to be pushed too quickly into the corner of those who are offended,” said Glettler in the longer interview. Good communication is particularly important in the regularly recurring debate about the cross. “We must try to explain the meaning of the cross - and not immediately brandish insults at every strange depiction,” said the bishop. "The cross of Jesus is the strongest expression of the fact that love is ultimately stronger than all malice, stronger than hatred and retaliation. But the sight is of a man being executed on a gallows. That must first be explained. And believed."
Elsewhere in the conversation, Glettler recalled the emotional debate in the 1980s about the cross on the Inn Bridge in Innsbruck designed by the Tyrolean sculptor Rudi Wach. The cross with a body without a loincloth was only erected at the intended location in 2007. The nudity of the figure on the guard cross caused a lot of ostensible outrage, the bishop said. However, he himself finds it problematic that the transfigured crucified man has no wounds. Wach explained to him that he wanted to portray the pure, radiant Christ, Glettler reported. "I replied that this was a lie. The Risen Man was not a sunny boy. The disciples recognized him by his stigmata. He went through death - in forgiving love."
“There are gaps to overcome”
In addition to theology, Glettler also studied art history. First is responsible for art and culture in the Austrian Bishops' Conference and also works as an artist himself. However, he made it clear that he only spends “very, very little time” on his own art work. What is more important to him is communicating and building trust between the church and cultural workers. “There are some trenches to overcome.” Glettler emphasized that he is a priest and “above all wants to bring the Good News of Jesus into the language of the times and share it with as many people as possible.” "But it's also true that I can't get rid of the art bug. Luckily, a lot of things cross-pollinate."
When asked, Glettler also spoke about the painter and actionist Hermann Nitsch (1938-2022), whom he described as a "permanent source of inspiration" when he died last year. The bishop said he “certainly does not want to canonize Nitsch, nor do he want to overlook the disgusting moments in his work.” But Nitsch suggested a lot and his significance lay in the rediscovery of the sensual ritual. "When the liturgy was desensualized and destroyed in the Catholic Church, he developed his orgy-mystery theater in the secular art world."
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