Catholic Mass broadcast canceled in Belgium in favor of Islamic service

A recorded Islamic service was aired on Belgian state TV. Photo: Facebook

In Belgium, public broadcaster VRT canceled the live broadcast of a Sunday Mass of the Roman Catholic Church and replaced it with a pre-recorded Islamic service. This was reported by the Muslim Council of Belgium on Facebook.

The broadcast was organized with the support of the Islamic organization and became the first of two mosque-based religious programs planned for this year. As a result, Catholic faithful were left without the traditional Mass broadcast, which was replaced by Islamic content.

VRT’s management had previously questioned the need to air Christian services. In 2023, the company’s CEO, Frédéric Delaplace, made relevant remarks following the release of the documentary series Godvergeten, which focused on abuse cases in the Catholic Church.

The channel’s decision has sparked debate over the place of Catholics in the media landscape and the priorities of state policy in covering religious life.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that an imam had been invited to preach about Islam in a Roman Catholic church in Italy.

Read also

President of Serbia discussed spiritual bonds between peoples with Patriarch Shio

In Tbilisi, Aleksandar Vučić and Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Shio III confirmed the importance of partnership and strengthening of faith in the relations between the two countries.

Romanian Church appealed to the faithful over anti-migrant riots

The Archdiocese of Great Britain and Northern Ireland expressed solidarity with compatriots affected by outbreaks of violence.

OCA Primate expresses support for Met. Onuphry after strike on Kyiv Lavra

Metropolitan Tikhon condemned the military attacks on the ancient monastery and assured the UOC flock of unity and constant prayer.

Catholic bishop receives “blessing” from rabbi in synagogue in USA

Roman Catholic Church hierarch Mark Brennan, known for supporting blessings for gay couples, took part in a Jewish rite before retiring.

MFA accuses UNESCO of weakness over statement on Lavra

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry called it "absurd" that the international organization refused to directly name the perpetrator of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra shelling.

Zelensky discusses strike on Lavra with Patriarch Bartholomew

Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ecumenical Patriarch discussed possible formats for personal meetings.