Controversy surrounds a "Black Mass" on October 31 in a deconsecrated Church
An artistic event is causing a stir in Montpellier, as it is described as nothing less than a "Black Mass of Emotions" in the former chapel of the Saint Charles General Hospital (17th-18th centuries), which was deconsecrated and became the Maison des Choeurs (House of Choirs) in 2006. It is scheduled for October 31 at 7 p.m. While there is no desecration because the building is deconsecrated, and this event falls under the umbrella of artistic freedom (or even freedom of enterprise), the question of respect for the dead arises (Articles 16 et seq. of the Civil Code) since the building still contains graves – even if, ostensibly, the organizers do not intend to desecrate them (Article 225-17 of the Penal Code).
The event description announces, in no particular order: “A (de)secrated but repurposed space for a black mass of emotions, sounds, bodies, and lights; incantatory concerts with the eccentric Schlaasss, the mystical Machinalis Tarantulae, and a demonic dance floor.” It also includes esoteric performers in alcoves and the confessional, living rituals, and communion with the forbidden.
Guests have “only one rule: come possessed, because this evening promises to be more intense than ever.”
According to its official website, this is one of the events of the Ex Tenebris Lux festival, which champions a “goth” and “metal” culture and features “programming in unusual venues: churches, crypts, atypical and mythical locations.”
According to a video made by young people from Montpellier who are outraged by this event—which falls under the right to freedom of expression—this official presentation has since been modified and toned down to remove the most anti-Christian aspects.
A petition addressed to the mayor of Montpellier has since been launched, calling for the cancellation of the event.
Archbishop Turini: “With serious concern […] the anti-religious event […] has no place here.”
The Bishop of Montpellier, Archbishop Turini, issued a statement:
“As Archbishop of Montpellier, I wish to express my serious concerns regarding the organization, on October 31st, of an anti-religious performance in the Maison des Chœurs in Montpellier.
I am aware that this venue is no longer used for religious worship and now belongs to the city.” However, this is a former chapel, which still houses the tombs of two bishops of Montpellier, one of whom, Charles de Pradel, was the founder of Saint-Charles Hospital.
This place carries a spiritual, historical, and human memory that remains alive in the consciousness of many citizens.
The title of this evening's event, "Dark Witness in a Church," with its ambiguous content, in such a place, can legitimately be shocking and, in my view, is out of place.
Many Catholic faithful, but also non-believers sensitive to respect for the dead and the history of our city, are understandably troubled and express their incomprehension.
I do not in any way dispute artistic freedom, to which the Church itself is deeply committed. But freedom of expression belongs to everyone: believers also have the right to peacefully express their hurt when religious symbols are misappropriated or ridiculed in a place steeped in ecclesiastical history. Secularism, as defined by our Republic, does not consist of erasing all religious presence from the public sphere. It guarantees freedom of conscience, protects religions, and calls for mutual respect among all citizens, regardless of their beliefs.
My approach is neither political nor polemical. It is intended as a call for dialogue, mutual consideration, and respect for the places that have shaped our shared history.
I hope that our society will remain capable of a freedom that does not harm, a creativity that does not belittle, and a way of living together that honors the memory of people and places.
The aforementioned video of the "Servants of Christ" can be viewed here:
@servantsduchrist Partagez cette vidéo pour protester contre cette énième attaque contre le catholicisme #catholic #catholique #protestation ♬ Kyrie Eleison - Cappella Gregoriana
1/ The general hospital was founded by letters patent in 1678 on the site of the Carmelite convent. Estimates and plans from 1679 were drawn up by Antoine Armand and Jacques Cubissolle, master masons and architects from Montpellier (pavilion-style hospital: grid plan with two courtyards). The women's ward was built in the first half of the 18th century. The Incurables building was added to the west in 1746 according to plans by Jean Giral. In 1751, Giral enlarged the church, which was completed by Jacques Nogaret (choir with dome). 2/ The asylum for the insane was built to the west of the general hospital by the Montpellier architect Fovis between 1821 and 1824 (neoclassical architecture). Demolished in 1932, only one building in the northern ward remains. 3/ Saint-Charles Clinics: a hospital-block built between 1932 and 1939 by Parisian architects Paul Pelletier and Arthur Teisseire using reinforced concrete and stone. It features significant ornamental elements (a sculpted panel by Joachim Costa, grisaille stained-glass windows by the stained-glass artist Emile Brière).
Founded in 1678 by letters patent from Louis XIV. The main building, with its two courtyards, and the church choir were erected between 1680 and 1730 according to the specifications provided by Antoine Armand in 1679. In 1750, the wing known as the "Incurables' Wing" was built by Jean Giral, who also provided the plan for the chapel's nave in 1751. The chapel's choir was rebuilt in 1753 by Jacques Nogaret. The sculpted decoration planned for the church's facade by Pierre Dumas, a sculptor from Marseille, was never executed. Between 1821 and 1824, an asylum for the insane was built by the architect Fovis, based on the recommendations of the physician Hyppolite Rech, a student of Esquirol. The asylum was demolished in 1930, with the exception of the north wing, which served as a pharmacy until the hospital was decommissioned. In 1892, the creation of Place Albert 1er led to the removal of the forecourt; new entrance pavilions and the ophthalmology pavilion were built at that time by Henri Debens. Between 1932 and 1939, a hospital block with solaria balconies, the Saint-Charles clinics, was built by two Parisian architects, Paul Pelletier and Arthur Teisseire. The large stained-glass windows of the staircases were created by Emile Brière, a master glassmaker from Levallois-Perret, between 1937 and 1939. The high-relief sculpted panels of the central section were sculpted by Joachim Costa between 1937 and 1946. In 1993, the ophthalmology clinic was demolished to make way for the bus lane. The church was listed as a Historic Monument in 1947, and the grand staircase and vestibule were listed in 1963. The entire complex, including the general hospital and the Saint-Charles clinics with their garden, was listed as a Historic Monument in 1997; the Higher Commission for Historic Monuments issued a favorable opinion for the listing of this completely disused complex in April 1998.
.jpeg)
Comments