Clouds over Spain... (Sacred Heart Statue Beheaded) (Catholic Caucus)

Rorate Caeli ^ | 7/24/2008 | New Catholic

[Pyro7480]

Madrid, 2008

In 1936, during the great Socialist Terror of the early months of the Civil War, the large monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Cerro de los Ángeles, near Madrid, was attacked and demolished, a symbol of one of the harshest large-scale persecutions of the Church in History.

From one of the stones of the demolished statue, a small sculpture of the Sacred Heart was sculpted and placed in the public garden outside the Parish Church of San Antonio de la Florida, in Madrid - otherwise a very famous building due to the extensive paintings of Francisco Goya in its cupola.

Last Monday (or on early Tuesday), the small statue of the Sacred Heart was torn down and beheaded. One new step in the battle of the forces of secularism (and its vandals) against the Church in Spain, a sign of things to come.

Cerro de los Ángeles, Province of Madrid, 1936

[Pyro7480]

VIVA CRISTO REY!

[Pyro7480]

Catholic ping!

[NYer]

Last Monday (or on early Tuesday), the small statue of the Sacred Heart was torn down and beheaded. One new step in the battle of the forces of secularism (and its vandals) against the Church in Spain, a sign of things to come.

The day after Pope Benedict announced that Madrid Spain would host next World Youth Day - 2011. It seems someone is not happy with that news.

Catholic Ping
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[WayneS]

“One new step in the battle of the forces of secularism (and its vandals) against the Church in Spain...”

Secularism, or Islam?

[Pyro7480]

Both.

[Gay State Conservative]

Just about everything I’ve read recently strongly suggests that the change in Spain from Christianity to atheism is just about complete.

[Cronos]

The Spaniards aren’t grateful to the one thing that kept their national unity when conquered by the Moors

[Cronos]

They want to return to Al Andalus

[Pyro7480]

Oh, I hadn’t heard that detail. If people thought the protests against the Pope in Sydney were bad, they will be much worse in Madrid, particularly 3 years in the future.

[NYer]

Just about everything I’ve read recently strongly suggests that the change in Spain from Christianity to atheism is just about complete.

ZE08072103 - 2008-07-21
Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-23297?l=english

Why Youth Day '11 Will be Key for Spain

Pilgrim Hopes Event Will Combat Secularism

By Catherine Smibert

SYDNEY, Australia, JULY 20, 2008 (Zenit.org).- At Benedict XVI's announcement that the next World Youth Day will be hosted by the Archdiocese of Madrid, red and yellow flags went flying up across the field in Sydney's Southern Cross Precinct.

Nineteen-year-old Paola Callas and 20-year-old Miriam Ramírez said they couldn't emphasize enough the importance of this event for their country.

"It's so necessary that Madrid may be able to experience a living Church as we have done here in Sydney over this week," said Callas.

"People don't associate the Church with relevance, joy or even fun over in Spain," added Ramírez. "We have a lot of political upheavals and secularism taking over the contemporary climate so it would be relevant for youth to experience the truths of the Church in a package like that of World Youth Day."

The Church in Spain was host to the successful 4th World Youth Day almost 20 years ago in Santiago de Compostela. In a press conference held after the announcement, Spanish youth said the fruits of that 1989 event were faithful parents and vocations. But, they added, that was at least one generation ago. Many of the pilgrims in Sydney this week were not even born yet.

"Since then," said Isabel Borges, "lots of young people don't believe in anything any more, and perhaps the World Youth Day will be useful to touch their consciences."

A journalist of the Spanish episcopal conference, Ivan de Vargas, said that Youth Day in Madrid would run from Aug. 15-21, 2011, but they are already expecting the Pope to arrive a week earlier.

He added that, notwithstanding tough issues in Spanish culture, "Spain is a land which loves the Pope, and on this occasion, the people will be able to show him all their affection."

[Biggirl]

Not suprised after the Pope annouced that Madrid, Spain would host the next WYD, there would be some trouble after the annoucement.

[2banana]

The more I learn about Spain in the 1930’s, the more I like Franco!

[Pyro7480]

Yeah, I read that earlier. It’s amazing the NY Times reported that then.

[Global2010]

Zenit is my fave source too.

[Nihil Obstat]

O sacred head, surrounded
by crown of piercing thorn!
O bleeding head, so wounded,
reviled and put to scorn!
Our sins have marred the glory
of thy most holy face,
yet angel hosts adore thee
and tremble as they gaze

I see thy strength and vigor
all fading in the strife,
and death with cruel rigor,
bereaving thee of life;
O agony and dying!
O love to sinners free!
Jesus, all grace supplying,
O turn thy face on me.

In this thy bitter passion,
Good Shepherd, think of me
with thy most sweet compassion,
unworthy though I be:
beneath thy cross abiding
for ever would I rest,
in thy dear love confiding,
and with thy presence blest.

[ichabod1]

This doesn’t make one happy, but I go to a Marian church here in the US, and our shrine to Our Lady has been vandalized several times.

[Pyro7480]

Yeah, our country has had plenty of that. Despite the persecution of Catholics throughout American history, it pales in comparison that what happened during the Spanish Civil War. That’s why it’s particularly chilling that this has happened where it did, when it did.

[colorcountry]

What is a Marian Church?

[colorcountry]

Sorry, I didn’t realize this is a caucus thread. Could you perhaps answer me by pm so I don’t disturb the tenor of this discussion? Thank you