Pro-gay bishop pardons culprit as Swiss bishops condemn 'unacceptable behavior'
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A Muslim politician has been forced to resign as leader of the Liberal Green Party in Zurich, Switzerland after she posted pictures of herself firing gunshots at a painting of Mary and Jesus.
Swiss daily Blick reported on the pictures published by the 32-year-old Sanija Ameti on Instagram last Sunday, triggering an uproar which led to the left-wing politician receiving death threats for desecrating the religious image.
BISHOPS' CONDEMNATION
In a statement issued last Monday, the Swiss Bishops' Conference said they "condemn this unacceptable behavior" by Ameti, who "used a picture of a mother with her child for her shooting practice."
"Even if one ignores the religious representation of the Mother of God – which this picture shows very clearly – the use of this image testifies to violence and disrespect for the human person," the statement stressed.
"Like many Catholics, the Swiss bishops feel that their religious sensibilities have been hurt," the prelates added. "In our society, it remains crucial that education and upbringing actively contribute to respect for the human person and his or her religious beliefs."
"I forgive Sanija Ameti and I ask all devout Catholics, Christians, Muslims, anyone who feels hurt in their religious, human feelings to follow me."
The bishop of Chur, Joseph Maria Bonnemain, called for the politician to be pardoned days after the outrage escalated and Ameti received death threats.
"Ms. Ameti has realized that she made a mistake. A mistake that she should not have made as a professional in politics, communication and provocation. A mistake that many will find hard to forgive her," Bonnemain said in a statement published by the diocese.
"I forgive Sanija Ameti and I ask all devout Catholics, Christians, Muslims, anyone who feels hurt in their religious, human feelings to follow me. Hatred and persecution cannot be the answer," noted the bishop, who is a member of the conservative Opus Dei sect, but has also called for LGBT+ couples to receive "equal marriage rights."
Noting that Ameti had written to Bonnemain asking the Catholic community for forgiveness, the Swiss Bishops Conference said they were nevertheless "obliged to express their deep disapproval publicly."
LIBERAL PARTY CALLS FOR EXPULSION
Meanwhile, in a damage control strategy, Ameti's liberal party called for her expulsion noting that her action was a "deliberate provocation."
"In the view of the party leadership, Sanija Ameti's continued membership of the Green Liberals would damage the reputation of the Green Liberals," the party said in a statement. "In order to prevent further damage, the party is requesting that expulsion proceedings be initiated immediately."
Attempting to exonerate herself, the politician explained why she used the sacred image from the Koller auction house catalogue – one of the most important auctioneers of art objects in Switzerland.
"I only had the Koller catalogue to hand, which was big enough," Ameti said. "I did not pay attention to the content of the pictures. It was not important to me."
"I apologize to the people who were hurt by my post. I deleted it immediately when I realized its religious content. I didn't think about it. I'm incredibly sorry," she later posted on X.
Ameti has confirmed to the Swiss internet portal kath.ch that she and her family are now under police protection due to threats. "I'm not well and I don't know how much longer I can stand it," she said.
CATHOLIC BACKLASH
Catholics hit back at Ameti's post questioning if her repentance was genuine and asking her why she had not considered the implications as a left-wing Muslim.
One wrote: “Imagine if some right-winger fired at a Muhammad caricature. You can imagine the hysterical reaction of woke leftists like you, citing 'racism' and 'hate crimes.'”
"Just shoot Mohammed for a change. I'm curious to see what happens."
"You fire headshots at Mary and the baby Jesus and now you want to tell us that you weren't aware of the religious content?!" another X-user posted.
"Hey, no problem. Just shoot Mohammed for a change. I'm curious to see what happens," commenter David Meier replied.
Nicolas Rimoldi, president of the conservative Swiss movement "Mass-voll" announced that he would file criminal charges against Ameti because she was calling for violence against Christians.
Editor's note: To learn how Christendom defeated the Ottoman Turks, click here.
Dr. Jules Gomes, (BA, BD, MTh, PhD), has a doctorate in biblical studies from the University of Cambridge. Currently a Vatican-accredited journalist based in Rome, he is the author of five books and several academic articles. Gomes lectured at Catholic and Protestant seminaries and universities and was canon theologian and artistic director at Liverpool Cathedral.
Mother wearing a veil and a boy child. What Moslem man (if there is such a thing) wouldn't be proud.
Woman without a burka , she should be stoned. Cee you next Tuesday, dear.
Lovely "image" of you. It should be replaced by a design though.
PLGBTQA+ HATES motherhood., but mainly the child - notice how many bullets in the
baby's head!! That is until the P will not be silenced any longer and pedophelia becomes legal!! AND abortion at any age and stage restored to the legal system.
The goal of legal pedophelia is wanted in both the Christian and Islamic worlds; all their wishes come true, no longer having to 'hide' their proclivities, to be free to live a 'normal' life........not a thought for the scarred children enters their minds........they call them 'loved'!!!
Innocense is the target; can you imagine a world without innocense as it's beginnining?? The love of a baby.......73 MILLION abortions YEARLY......that's HATE. Abuse and mutilation to form the 'child' o…