Worship takes place atop Erfurt Cathedral's stairway.

Religious institution - Worship takes place atop Erfurt Cathedral's stairway.

During an overcast and rainy day, people congregated in front of Erfurt Cathedral to celebrate the Corpus Christi Mass at the 103rd Catholic Day. Leading this service was Bishop Ulrich Neymeyr, who focused on the significance of the Catholic feast day's motto, "The future belongs to the peacemakers." He believed that "Justice and peace must be envisioned and pursued both in our social and political lives."

Unlike in some other states, Fronleichnam isn't a statutory holiday in Thuringia, except in the Eichsfeld region, where Catholics represent a distinct minority community. The Central Committee of German Catholics' president, Irme Stetter-Karp, declared, "We want to showcase the multifaceted nature of Catholic life in this secular city amidst the challenging situation preceding the Thuringian state election."

She also reinforced the ecumenical and interreligious ties at the Catholic Day. Attendees from the Protestant Church were present as well, and various forums and discussions about the connections between the Islamic and Jewish communities were planned.

As heavy rainfall was predicted, the organizers had been in constant contact with the German Weather Service. The primary concern was ensuring the safety of the many visitors who would gather at this mainly outdoor religious event in the coming days. The Catholic Day was expected to conclude on Sunday, with an expected attendance of 20,000 people in the Thuringian state capital.

Link to information: [link]

Program: [another link]

Read also:

1. Despite being a Catholic Day, Corpus Christi isn't a statutory holiday in most parts of Thuringia, excluding Eichsfeld, where the Catholic minority community celebrates it with fervor.
2. This year's Catholic Day in Erfurt was particularly significant as it was led by Bishop Ulrich Neymeyr, who emphasized the importance of peacemakers in shaping the future, both socially and politically.
3. Bodo Ramelow, the Thuringian State Premier, was expected to attend the Catholic Day, showcasing the tradition's importance in Germany's secular society and the participation of various faiths, including the Protestant Church.
4. As Ulrich Neymeyr delivered his sermon atop Erfurt Cathedral's stairway on the Catholic Day, he discussed the significance of Corpus Christi, a day where Catholics around the world honor Christ's body and blood.
5. In light of the ecumenical ties being reinforced during the Catholic Day, Bishop Ulrich Neymeyr expressed his hope for a harmonious future in Thuringia, where all faiths can coexist peacefully and promote understanding between religions, such as the Islamic and Jewish communities.

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