Bishop launches crusade against “satanic” rock star

Nergal; photo - behemoth.pl

Bishop Wieslaw Mering, head of the diocese of Wlocawek in northern Poland, lashed out at national television station TVP for its hiring of Adam Darski, frontman of internationally acclaimed death metal group, Behemoth.

Darski, better known by his adopted pseudonym of “Nergal”, tore up a bible during a concert in 2007.

Earlier this month, a court cleared Darski of offending religious sensibilities, with the judge arguing that the action was “a form of art” consistent with the band's style.

Nevertheless, Darski's employment in TV show “The Voice of Poland” - a programme that tries to track down an outstanding Polish singer – has proved insulting to some catholics.

Bishop Mering has lambasted the metal star, and an anti-Darski diatribe is set to be read at pulpits across the diocese.

“A blasphemer, Satanist and lover of evil incarnate has the screen of public television at his disposal, and thus he will be able to spread his poisonous teachings more easily,” the bishop declared in a statement.

“Non possumus! [This cannot be!].”

The bishop went on to call for public protests, noting that if “appeals went unheard”, Poles should not pay their television subscription.

Mering's statement has been circulated by the Association of Catholic Journalists. (nh/pg)