On June 2, 2011, wearing rainbow color vestments Fr. Philippe Kloeckner, pastor of Saint Luke Parish in Clermont, said the Ascension Thursday Mass under the canopy of Circus Pinder, above. The initiative was supported by the Diocese of Clermont through its Pastoral of Tourism & Entertainment. Inviting the faithful to the event was also the website of the French Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The priest asked the artists to participate actively in the Mass in their "performance costumes," that is, showy circus garb with women exhibiting their legs and men their nude torsos. Clowns playing their instruments animated the Offertory procession.

The Catholic press and authorities were quite satisfied because "it is a formidable opportunity for the local Church to be open to the reality of the world," the webpage of the French Bishops' Conference states.

Below first row, Fr. Kloeckner saying the Mass; second row, one of the artists in her normal "performance costume;" third row, two shots of the audience at the circus Mass; fourth row, the circus advertisement for the Mass with its "welcome to all" (Bienvenue à tous).

Source Conference des Eveques de France - Scoop Catapulta

Share

Follow us

  Circus Mass in Monte Carlo

  A Rainbow Dispute

  A Clown Mass in Missouri

  Franciscan Nuns Are Faithful Fools

  Benedict Receives Circus Performers

  JPII Sabotages the Seriousness of the Papacy

  A Clownish Mass in Switzerland

  Archbishop of Salzburg Celebrates a Clown Mass

  Cologne's Cardinal in Carnival Attire

Our Lady of La Salette, restore the Holy Church Find 500 more pictures in Previews of the New Papacy