Ultra-conservative priest Gerhard Maria Wagner hit the headlines with statements labelling Harry Potter "a work of Satanism" and homosexuality as "curable".But Wagner is infamous for hitting out on many other subjects, as Austrian magazine "profil" reveals in its current edition.
Speaking about Baptism and the decrease of the Catholic church’s influence in Austria, Wagner told believers at the Catholic church in Windischgarsten: "If the church isn’t that important anymore, why is a child brought into the church to be baptised? Why don’t people take their children somewhere else?"
In another sermon, Wagner warned: "I would like to make you aware today that many more people than you actually think have made a deal with the devil, with Satan."
Speaking about the increasing number of people leaving the church, Wagner said: "I ask myself: What’s the matter with those who talk badly about the church, those who have left it? Those who moan when speaking about Catholic Austria?
"They make use of Catholic holidays, and that’s something I am protesting against. If someone doesn’t want to have anything to do with the church, he should go to work on such holidays."
Earlier this week, private Upper Austrian radio station "Life Radio" reported the Windischgarsten council would formally make Wagner an honorary citizen of the town.
People’s Party (ÖVP) Mayor Norbert Vögerl has already confirmed the report, saying he approves of the initiative.
A few weeks ago, Wagner asked Pope Benedict XVI to withdraw his nomination of him as new auxiliary bishop of the Linz diocese after coming under heavy pressure because of several controversial statements.
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(Source: AT)