Germans criticize cardinal's remarks as reminiscent of Nazi times

Published: 2007-09-17

COLOGNE, Germany (CNS) -- German officials have criticized a German cardinal's remarks which they said were reminiscent of Nazi propaganda. While marking the opening of the Kolumba archdiocesan art museum, Cologne Cardinal Joachim Meisner said Sept. 14: "Where culture becomes disconnected from religion, from the veneration of God, religion rigidifies into ritualism, and culture becomes degenerate. It loses its center." The term "degenerate" was used by the Nazis to attack modern art. Nazis put on the "Degenerate Art" touring exhibition of 650 works confiscated from 32 museums as part of propaganda efforts against "negro influence" and "Jewish and Bolshevik cultural decay." The "degenerate" artists were persecuted and forced into exile. Reacting to Cardinal Meisner's remarks, Bernd Neumann, German minister for culture and the media, said, "Even if it's been taken out of context, this statement using the word 'degenerate' is completely unacceptable in choice of words and in content."

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