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1. Paul Johnson in his excellent text, A History of Christianity [Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1976], tells us that the Archbishop Albert of Mainz purchased from Rome a lucrative exhibition of relics in 1517 - some 5000 items which included 'whole bodies of saints, a bone of Isaac, manna from the wilderness, a bit of Moses' burning bush, a jar from Cana (with actual wine in it!), a bit of the crown of thorns, and one of the stones that killed St Stephen.
   Fredrick the Wise, also had his money raising collection of relics, some 17,433 fragments of bones, and the entire body of one of the Holy Innocents.'
   It was at this time that Luther intervened by nailing his 95 theses against indulgences.
   Perhaps the time is ripe for another Luther?
   
   

   Posted By: Yuri Koszarycz

2. Yuri Koszarycz makes some good points. The good news is that Frederick the Wise, a major supporter of Luther, on receiving Luther's transaltions of scripture into the vernacular, realised that this was more precious than his many relics, and had them removed 'from my sight, never to see them again'. Yes let's have another Luther!

   Posted By: Christopher McElhinney

3. No-one is out to make any money from this visit though, Yuri.
   The tangible presence of the relic of a saint who helped bring so many to faith simply serves as a testament to God's grace and providence; his grace to effect so much in a man transformed by his love and his providence to pick that man to go forth and share that same love with the world.
   I personally was moved by the visit to All Saints, Fitzroy, and would like to thank all those who have helped to organise the tour and the Bishop's Conference for their initiative.

   Posted By: James Kerr

4. If that's the case, James, why don't we dig up all the bodies of saints and parade them around?
   Venerating part of a cadaver strikes me as bizarre and somewhat offensive.

   Posted By: Francis

5. It's alarming that quarantine allowed it.
   Faith should not depend on such aberrations.
   What would St Francis think?

   Posted By: Marjorie

6. It's sad seeing all those people lined up to go and gaze at a dead arm. Jesus said, 'It is written; Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.'
   We are also told in the bible not to bow down to anyone or anything, except God alone.
   Be very careful, dear people, because any form of worship such as bowing, nodding, touching, or praying to a relic, is considered by God as idolatry.
   

   Posted By: Yvonne Graham

7. Relax, folks.
   On this non-essential subject, I can't improve on what Abraham Lincoln allegedly said in another context, People who like this sort of thing will find it just the sort of thing they like.
   

   Posted By: Denis Goodwin

8. It looks like you guys are having trouble telling the difference between veneration and idolatry.
   The veneration of the saints and their relics is a perfectly normal Catholic practice which only magnifies the Glory of God.
   It does not detract from Him at all, nor does it go against the first commandment.
   Considering St Francis would have said Mass on an altar which contained a relic, I’m sure he wouldn’t be surprised or alarmed.
   The last thing we need is a reincarnation of a heretic like Martin Luther, a man who did incalculable damage to the Church and to souls.

   Posted By: Adam Armstrong

9. Yuri: I saw the relic free of charge.
   The Mass I attended was packed out with people flocking to be close to hand that had baptised, instructed and blessed so many in Christ. It was simply beautiful.
   Yuri, I think Australian Catholics have voted with their feet on this one and the tradition of venerating relics of the saints that goes right back to the Old Covenant is alive and well.
   And why anyone would have any admiration for a mentally disturbed monk like Martin Luther who used the sins of a few to justify his own pride and greed is just beyond me.

   Posted By: Nicholas Smith

10. Nicholas: And what about the disturbed, mental or otherwise, popes and other bishops the People of God had inflicted on them throughout the centuries. For example, Pope John XII...

    Posted By: Francis

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