US singer blasts Catholic Church at Vatican Christmas concert

Yahoo ^ | 12/15/03 | Yahoo

[freedom44]

US hip-hop singer Lauryn Hill stunned leading members of the Roman Catholic Church when she accused them of moral corruption, exploitation and abuse from the stage during a Christmas concert at the Vatican.

Hill, 28, launched her diatribe in front of an audience of 7,500 guests at a packed Paul VI hall, used by Pope John Paul II for indoor public audiences.

"I'm not here to celebrate, like you, the birth of Christ, but to ask you why you are not in mourning for his death in this place," Hill said, reading from a prepared statement as she came on stage for her performance as part of a all-star gala concert.

"Holy God has witnessed the corruption of your leadership, of the exploitation and abuses which are the minimum that can be said for the clergy," she added, calling on the hierarchy to "repent".

Stunned hierarchy in the front row at Saturday night's concert included one of the most senior figures in the Church, Cardinal Camillo Ruini, who is head of the Italian bishops conference.

An aide to Ruini, Bishop Rino Fisichella, described the singer's speech as "a rash outburst. An uneducated act showing a lack of respect for the place she was a guest and for those who invited her."

The Holy See has been widely accused of failing to respond adequately to a paedophile scandal involving priests, particularly in the United States.

The US Church has been under intense fire over the policy of some archdioceses of moving known child abusing priests from parish to parish over decades.

Hill, a former member of The Fugees and winner of five Grammy Awards, said she was not speaking as a representative of any religious organisation.

Italian press reports Sunday said her attack was unlikely to be included when the concert is broadcast on Italian television on December 24, Christmas Eve.

Other artists performing at the event, now in its 11th year, included Ronan Keating, Khaled, Randy Crawford, Solomon Burke, Kelly Joyce, Polish singer Natalia Kukulska, and American Gospel and Italian choirs.

[Capitalist Eric]

You know, it's idiots like this bimbo, that make me cringe....

Talk about fitting the stereotype of the ugly (and stupid) American...

(((sigh)))

[zarf]

Lauryn probably did a couple of bags of blow before the show.

She likes to do that you know.

[ClearCase_guy]

And the Bishops' response: "We greatly respect Lauryn Hill. Up until now, we thought the Church was doing OK, but if Lauryn says we need to improve, well, we will do so immediately. Peace out."

[theDentist]

While I agree with her that they have handled the matter poorly, I think this was somewhat crass. She should have delivered her remarks before going there, and if they still invited her to participate, then show up. But just sing.

[danneskjold]

Italian press reports Sunday said her attack was unlikely to be included when the concert is broadcast on Italian television on December 24, Christmas Eve.

ya' think?

[San Jacinto]

US hip-hop singer Lauryn Hill stunned leading members of the Roman Catholic Church ...

Was this thing invited to attend this shin-dig? If so, it was kinda their own fault.

[Hildy]

What a bitch.

[Lee Heggy]

Some people never get over the 'Mr. Microphone' thing.

[Hildy]

An by the way, Lauryn, next time you wonder out loud why the world hates Americans, I hope you think about your selfish, shining moment.

[curmudgeonII]

It's about time that someone got through to the R.C. hierarchy the disgust that many feel about the sexual misbehavior of many priests and the refusal of their superiors to do much, if anything, to correct these crimes. [Crimes against both man and God.]

[ikka]

Hill, a former member of The Fugees and winner of five Grammy Awards, said she was not speaking as a representative of any religious organisation.

If she was Catholic or at least Christian of any stripe, maybe the outburst would be understandable. But she doesn't believe in Christ to begin with.

[VOYAGER]

Boy howdy she'll never get out of purgatory now.

[Petronski]

Oh yeah, the hierarchy didn't care before she said this. And now they do.

Right.

[Spok]

Who th' hell invited her anyway? As my Pap used to say, 'if you let a cur in your house, don't be surprised if it craps on your floor'.

[Bikers4Bush]

This coming from a known drug user.

How quaint.

[LadyDoc]

pure publicity stunt.

Now, if she criticized the Rolling Stone or any other rock group for seducing 13 year old groupies, then THAT would be courage.

[Theo]

If she were a Christian, perhaps her motivations might be along the lines of what motivated Luther.

But it seems that she's not a professing Christian (from what I'm reading), and so her rant is just goofy and hypocritical.

"Who invited her?" is a good question. I suppose it takes a "church" like that she describes to invite someone like her to perform for them....

I'm not making any slams against anyone, now. Just some quick off-the-cuff observations....

[cupcakes]

Just distasteful. Whatever happened to refusing an invitation and giving your reason why at that time. I wonder if there is a way they can keep at least part of her fee for her little outburst.

[cupcakes]

Who I'm sure glorifies that image before African American youths. I'm sure she feels no shame for the destruction of her own community she reaps with her own shameless behavior. Hypocrit comes to mind.