German lawmakers criticized for boycotting papal address
September 21, 2011
Leading German politicians have chastised colleagues who are organizing a boycott of the address to the Bundestag by Pope Benedict XVI.
Interior minister Hans-Peter Friedrich said that the boycott was a display of “arrogance, narrow-mindedness, and provincialism.” Deputy speaker Wofgang Thierse observed: “No deputy who listens has to agree with the pope's views."
About 100 members of parliament (out of 620) have announced that they will not attend the papal address.
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Further information:
- Supporters of pope's German visit blast boycott (Reuters)
- Germany: 100 members of parliament to boycott Pope’s speech ( CWN, 9/16)
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Posted by: -
Sep. 22, 2011 11:48 AM ET USA
I am shocked, shocked to learn that the communists, socialists, and other assorted leftists are not welcoming the Pope. The Left Party has become so nostalgic for the old East German dictatorship that it is hardly surprising that they would be opposed to anyone who doesn't support their dialectical materialism and "scientific" socialism!
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Posted by: AgnesDay -
Sep. 21, 2011 11:19 PM ET USA
Well, God forbid they should listen. They might learn something.
