A Polish bishop has called for public protests following the employment of what he claims is a "satanic" rock star, BEHEMOTH frontman Adam "Nergal" Darski, by the Polish version of the hit American singing competition "The Voice", appropriately named "The Voice Of Poland".
Bishop Wieslaw Mering, head of the diocese of Wlocawek in northern Poland, lashed out at national television station TVP for its hiring of Darski, who was found innocent last month of offending religious feelings in connection with a September 2007 incident when he reportedly called the Catholic Church "the most murderous cult on the planet" during the band's performance in Gdynia and tore up a copy of the Bible, calling it "a book of lies."
The full text of Mering's statement — which was translated to English exclusively for BLABBERMOUTH.NET by Thomas Rutkowski — follows below.
"Appeal to Priests and Faithful of the Wroclawian diocese in the matter of opposing promotion of Satanism in Polish public television.
"Sisters and Brothers,
"I was stunned to silence: public service television, paid for by our taxpayers' money; Dutied to respect those values held as universal, Truth, Good and Justice; that should serve the comprehensive betterment of mankind, the building of peaceful society, objectivism and moral order — is planning to let 'Nergal' (Adam Darski) — who hides neither his involvement with Satanism or his contempt for Christianity — star in public television this fall of 2011 on the Channel 2 show 'The Voice Of Poland'.
"A blasphemer, Satanist and lover of evil incarnate will have free use of the public television screen to spread his poisonous teachings!
"Non possumus! - As the Polish bishops once cried when Cesar by force tried to place himself on the altar. We cannot pretend that nothing is happening, even if they should call us reactionary, intolerant Catholics or some sort of 'berets!' No! As citizens we have the right to voice our opinions.
"I ask the members of my assembly for the courage to defend the rights of God; I beg and ardently urge all youth and adults:
* Openly show your disagreement with Nergal's presence in Polish public television by protests directed at the direction of TVP Channel Two;
* Sign the petitions at the Polish Catholic journalists' webpage at:
www.ksd.media.pl;* Pray, especially to Saint Michel the Archangel least let the name of God be publicly insulted in the country of Poland, and let this prayer also encompass the blasphemer who 'Knows Not What He Does';
* Actively join the clergy in acts of protest, and help bolster their efforts; We have the full rights of citizenship in our country and thus have the right to make our views public;
* Bring attention to this matter throughout the diocese, be very firm, but cultured;
* Use any and all available means of communication for this act of protest, the pulpit, parish tracts, church meetings, local radio and local television stations;
* Help the faithful become aware that we are a very powerful force of influence and can affect what is shown on the screen — even if it comes to the civil disobedience of refusing to pay subscription dues should our requests and appeals fall on deaf ears.
"We cannot be silent, when the belief of those faithful to Christianity is allowed to be challenged in this drastic way. Very recently, Nergal was 'absolved' in public court for humiliating the Holy Scriptures saying it is 'Shit you can plow into the ground and bury!' he also called the church 'a criminal sect.'
"We cannot be silent, neither from fear, nor wanting to please the whims of God's personal enemy, nor from any motives of political correctness or indifference. As Christ tells us: 'In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.' (John 16,33)
"To all who are concerned in matters of God — most heartfelt of blessings."
In a recent interview with Terrorizer magazine, Nergal stated about his new television gig, "It's going to be fun. The first black metal judge ever in history doing a mainstream thing, you know? People are going to freak out! Some are going to love it, some are going to fucking hate it. But that's what this music has always been about, right? To provoke, to cause different opinions. The more extreme opinions, the better, I think."
He added of the attention he has received in his home country, "This so-called celebrity life is not my environment at all, but I am a part of it if I want it or not. So it's been crazy. Then the whole case with my sickness and me getting out alive [Nergal was diagnosed with leukemia in August 2010 and underwent a bone marrow transplant procedure in December. — Ed.], it just brought some extra attention to it. And there's definitely some people that want to make some money on it because it's a cool story for them to write about and stuff, but I was like, 'Okay, if they're going to make money, I want to have my share, too.' I was away from music and away from being active live for a good year, so yeah, I need to get something in return!"
It was previously reported in the Polish media that the producers of "The Voice Of Poland" were hoping that Nergal's presence on the program would attract a new audience as well as improve its chances of competing against rival television talent-show franchise "X Factor".
