To say I am shocked by this story is an understatement; these actions are inexcusable. Not having grown up in Holland, I can't imagine how anyone could have justified these actions. There is a history, in the field of music, of young boys being castrated. During puberty a boy's vocal chords enlarge enormously, caused by an increased production of anderogen hormones. Castration prevented the necessary flow of hormones and arrested growth. Afterwards the castrato would have the high voice of a boy soprano, but the lung power of a full-grown man. Composers wrote music for this particular voice. However, the last performance of an operatic castrato in an opera was in London in 1825.
The Dutch culture is quite different from what we know in the US. They legalized prostitution decades ago. They legalized assisted suicide in 1994. It's a complex culture. Insofar as the Catholic Church in the Netherlands, I think you may find more detailed information here.
The problem I have with this is that the Dutch government or culture is NOT the Catholic Church; and, therefore, there is no excuse. Just more fodder for the Catholic bashers, I’m afraid.
Thank you, sir.
Whenever I come across a “Catholic” thread of note, I always am interested in hearing your thoughts and opinion on the subject.
You can be relied on to cut through the nonsense and provide sound insight and commentary.