St. Stephen Cathedral Vienna

[Eufrosnia]

I am interested to know why you are so reluctant to say where you are from? Could it be because you know in your heart of hearts that there are good and bad points in every country. Surely, if not, you would have remained in your own country.

I do not want to elaborate much here. I moved because my parents moved long time ago. They moved because they felt it nice to try and see what its like to live in a different country. We have moved before as well even long ago to other different counties. Might sound a bit bizarre but its something we have done (and I probably wouldn’t do ).

As for the country where I am from, there are absolutely many faults. What you have to realize however is that those things are indeed called faults. No one will say that those things are good things where I am from. People will talk about how to correct these things rather than say that they are ok.

In this sense, I feel the West has entered a different phase. The people of the West believe that what they have is indeed good (and I am referring specifically to the bad things it has). This is a bit different from the part of the world I am from. The only similarity I can think of in the East is probably China. So while all countries do have its faults, it is a bit problematic when something disordered, for an example same sex marriage, is heralded as a triumph of human rights and measures are taken to promote it globally. Same with contraception, abortion and euthanasia.

I can understand entire countries being in error over religious beliefs on specifics of faith. That is somewhat of an intellectual and educational issue. But with respect to basic morality, it is rather disturbing. Even more disturbing is the idea that the West really doesn’t believe in morality but the law. What ever can be made lawful in courts is therefore lawful.

I also see the West as a place where it is difficult to lead a moral life. The West has built a culture in the last 100 years which facilitates a disordered way of living rather than a moral way of living. You might say this is out of intellectual growth. But I see it as intellectual backwardness and possibly errors like thinking Scientific knowledge as the end all and be all. So prudence has no place in the West. The moderately religious person cares only of morals. But without prudence, it is difficult to avoid certain tough situations that might lead to immorality. It is these aspects that make the West unique. Even China has its values of prudence built around what it considered right or wrong over centuries (albeit different from Christianity). So we might fully evangelize the West tomorrow (theoretically). Even then we will fail because the framework and culture of the West is such that it will not hand down its values to the next generation. There isn’t even sufficient contact and passing down of values between parents and children.

So I don’t mean to offend people here. I am just pointing out a very unique situation that the West is facing. (Granted, it has already started to spread globally through the media and immigration)

 

[Eufrosnia]

I think her manner of dress and movements were more of the problem with the performance for me than anything else. As I mentioned in my previous post, musicians (at least all of the musicians I work with and have seen who have done performances in churches) know better than to dress the way she did and move the way she did in any house of God. It’s a standard practice and a basic unwritten rule to act and dress with respect when in a house of God… even if you don’t practice that particular faith. So, I was more surprised about that, than a concert, since I’ve seen/participated in numerous concerts held in Catholic churches here in the States and in Europe which were done appropriately and respectrfully. Again most concerts I’ve been part of or have seen in houses of God were for religious/sacred music and people always dressed/moved respectfully and appropriately. She was not the norm.

As for the the Bishop allowing it, he may not have known what she was going to do. Even a rehearsal may not have given it away since it was really just her moving around and she could have just walked through it without all the over-the-top bells and whistles. They could have just typed the list of music they were doing such as “I Vow to Thee My Country” (a hymn) and “Ave Maria”, etc. and that there would be an orchestra and choir. It appeared to be a religiously-based concert of music. Most people would not assume anything inappropriate would occur. In a concert of religious music, especially when it’s billed with an orchestra and choir usually does not scream prancing around and being scantally dressed.

On top of that, he may not have even been that privy to the concert “schedule” at the cathedral. I doubt that a bishop would be the one reviewing the requests. I probably wouldn’t be surprised if complaints were made and wouldn’t be surprised if she will no longer be allowed to perform there or at another Catholic church in that diocese again, especially if enough complaints were made and the bishop viewed the concert and found it inappropriate. Or new rules could be made up to inspect attire and see the performance in full before the actual show.

Thank you for your reply. It might sound odd but I found your reply very comforting You are certainly right about the Bishop possibly not knowing the full details of what will take place. That is a good point and one which I did not consider.

Thank you for your post!