Why ever did the artist have say over what is depicted, or not, in a Christian church? Sorry, artistic license does not apply in commissioned work. My last church has Tiffany windows and my favorite is of Jesus Christ blessing the children gathered around him. I believe that everything in a church should reflect the belief system it represents. Practically, my church in Florida doesn't have a lot of windows because of hurricane concerns and I very much miss them as a source of inspiration. The supervisors of the cathedral have missed a chance for inspiration that will be with them for a very, very long time.

Until Islam overwhelms Europe, of course.

C. LeFevre, Tampa, FL, USA

Just say NO to islam!

Vote BNP

Jan Sobieski, NYC, USA

To our erstwhile friends in Europe:

Once upon a time we had a hertitage of shared values. No more. The debate amongst my group of friends: "is Europe lost to Islam"? We've concluded you are. You brought it upon yourselves. At least Chaimberlain and Halifax could argue in mitigation of their appeasement "we didn't know the extent of Hitler's ambitions". That luxury is not available to you. The muslims have told you want their intent is and you paid no attention. You enabled the muslims to take over your culture.

The more strenuous debate is whether a drop of American blood and a penny of treasure should be expended to rescue any non-muslim souls from Europe. As best I can tell, right now the consensus is running 80-20% AGAINST coming to your aid. In short (at least among my friends) we won't
come to help evacuate European non-muslims. We are agreed 100% your nuke arsenals will be destroyed in place lest they fall into the hands of your muslim overlords. Sorry about that.

Mr. Zug, USA,

To Martin, Hereford
The window was not replaced - the original 19th century one was blown out during an allied forces air raid in 1944. For more than 60 years the window had clear glass. The Cathedral was the only building in Cologne left relatively intact after World War 2. The city's other medieval churches took over 40 years to rebuild. Many of them got abstract stained glass in the process, why has not the Cardinal protested before this? There is also plenty of medieval glass in churches all over Europe that consist of abstract pattern alone - does the Cardinal want to rip it out and replace it with modern glass depicting Maximilian Kolbe, Edith Stein, or those saints-to-be Mother Theresa and Pope John Paul 2?

Etceterus, Oslo, Norway

The Cardinal is 100% correct. This type of "bending low" to the sensibilities of other faiths is culturally suicidal. The Roman Church (to which I do not belong) has a tradition of depicting saints, our Lord, and many iconic symbols (ie the lamb or dove) in their stains. Is it mere coincidence that the city of cologne is deluged with a Muslim demography that did not exist 50 years ago ? A giant mosque? "Politicians" say he is "stiiring up" trouble? Why are they easily intimidated, if this Cardinal is wrong?
Something fishy in Cologne.
I agree with the Cardinal, as do the majority of westerners (excluding our Californian friend) that this type of creeping sycophancy is a danger to our free societies.

Phil, Toronto, Canada

The Cardinal have Islamphobia and need to see a doctor. Since no muslim did any worked on this he have no right to insult Islam the teligion of 1.75 billion people on this planet.

Brian C. Hoff, El Paso, TX,USA

In the UK there were 80,000 muslims 20 years ago. Now there are 2 million. In 20 years time there might be 50 miilion. Whatever that figure will, it will be a major majority of the population. The same is happening in most European Countries. As this majority enfolds it will start to destroy completely our Christian values which have been nutured over last 2000 years.

Governments should start to wake up and stem this crimson tide which will destroy our Christian way of life.

Onward Christian soldiers!!!

Louis Blanc, Liverpool,

Of course this window should have been representing the faith of worshippers in that building. How can anyone believe that the feelings of Islamists should be taken into account? Are we asked when they build and decorate their places of worship? Of course not. I am not a Catholic.

In England we have an established Church of England and although other religions can build their own places of worship, it must be accepted that people living here do so under the laws of this land.

Roz Venner, St Neots,

Look into a toy kaleidoscope and you get the same sensation. The "artist" used a computerised random generator to order his bits of coloured glass. Great art. I wonder if he actually formed the glass with his own hands.-- I would have suggested a window commemorating the men who died in constructing this monstrous edifice glorifying an imaginary deity. But as an atheist, I don't think it right for me to have any opinion on this matter, so I'll leave it at that before incurring the wrath of the faithful.

alan, cologne,

I don't see any Islamic influence. The Cardinal needs to take an art history class.

Nate, Los Angeles,

To Martin, Hereford
The window was not replaced - the original 19th century one was blown out during an allied forces air raid in 1944. For more than 60 years yhe window had clear glass. The Cathedral was the only building in Cologne left relatively intact after World War 2. The city's other medieval churches took over 40 years to rebuild. Many of them have abstract stained glass, why has not the Cardinal protested before this? There is also plenty of medieval glass in churches all over Europe that consists of abstract pattern alone - does the Cardinal want to rip this out and replace it with modern glass depicting Maximilian Kolbe, Edith Stein, or those saints-to-be Mother Theresa and Pope John Paul 2?

Etceterus, Oslo, Norway

The issue with Islam in this matter is neither here nor there. The real issue is that this is a stained glass window in a Catholic cathedral not the town hall or some community centre. It should reflect some aspect of the Catholic faith. Once again a Catholic bishop is criticised for speaking out on matters pertaining to Catholicism. Am I seeing a pattern here?

Aggrieved Catholic, London,

What on earth is wrong with giving your opinion?It's the politicions who are the bigots .

Robert, Derby,

He is wrong about the window, right about the towering minarets - these are just power statements by Islam, and of course in most Islamic nations churches are just banned and spreading of the Christian gospel a crime.
Sorry, that's the truth. And of course in all universities in the West the Bible is subject to rigorous questioning, the Koran is preserved from this normal academic process, for fear of violence.
The Pope and cardinal are right to feel uneasy, so do most of us, we just are not free to say so now.

Jake, Witney, UK

That is for the people who own and use the chiuch to decide - not me or anyone else.

Jack, Cardiff, Waels, UK

Cologne Cathedral is a *Catholic* cathedral. So who really cares whether art critics, the mayor, or Protestants like it or not. Considering Picasso was an atheist and communist, this “the Picasso of the 21st century” would seem to be a poor choice on that basis alone.

It would seem too many believe that the Catholic Church should pander to Islam. That includes not only Richter, but the church "supervisors" who so com[pliantly abandoned their responsibility to the congregation.

Bob Evans, Anaheim, California

Why did the supervisors of the cathedral decide on this depiction in the window? Who are they? Are they not Catholic and, if so, why do they not want a window that reflects their Catholic faith? When will people understand that believers of all faiths are not threatened or disturbed by a strong advocacy of one's faith? It's the persecution of other faiths that draws the ire, not the celebration of one's own.

M. Hassan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

If the photo accompanying the story is of the window in question, it's stunning. And if sheer beauty isn't a way to praise God, what is? Many, MANY Christian (including Roman Catholic) cathedrals and churchs have abstract art, including stained glass. The Metropolitan Cathedral in Liverpool, England (Catholic) has abstract windows; so does the "new" Coventry cathedral (Anglican), which was built after the Medieval church was destroyed by bombs in World War II. When Gothic cathedrals were developed (in the Middle Ages), they did have pictures of saints; or they told the stories of the Bible. But times change; just look at the Church of the Holy Family in Barcelona, by Gaudi, for abstract modernism in church art. The Cardinal should get off his high (red) hat, and enjoy the beauty at hand. (Jews, by the way, do have stained glass in some of their synagogues; but it usually does not have "portraits," but symbols.)

Bertram A. Workum, Cincinnati, Ohio

Perhaps the Cardinal was merely trying to state that the new window is not reflective of traditional art found in Churches and that the abstract aspect is more akin to a tradition most commonly expressed in Islamic art. As a Muslim I do not see what the fuss is about. I would have expected a similar fuss had Christian art, ie the depiction of living beings been, placed in a Mosque. The Cardinal has every right to express his opinion and as high ranking official of his Church if he feels that the art is more representative of another faith, in this case Islam, then surely he should be able to express that sentiment without having politicians accusing him of raising inter-faith tensions. Had we seen Hindu style depictions of Saints and these were criticised would these politicians then accuse the Cardinal of being anti-Hindu?

arif, Chorley, Lancs, England

It is ironic that the same journalists that criticise the Catholic Church would NEVER dare to treat Islam the same way.

Peter, London,

Why are so many people like this cardinal so easily frightened by something that might remotely be linked to islam, is the christian faith so worried?

a, aaa,

God exists everywhere, not only in churches, mosques and temples. It is man's great folly to assume that God, like a rich man, lives in large buildings called houses of worship. To the prophets God appeared when they least expected and always in open fields, in a street, on mountains, in a dream or as a ram with it's horns locked in the brush ready for sacrifice. This is Muslims belief in God. I am glad that Cologne Cathederal in the 21st century is letting light shine upon it's congregation which too is made of all colours.

Billoo Bhai, London, UK

"Cardinal Meisner wanted the window to be replaced with glass paintings of the saints Maximilian Kolbe and Edith Stein - both of whom perished at the hands of the Nazis. But the supervisors of the cathedral settled on Mr Richter’s abstract design."

Doesn't the Cardinal have the final word in his archdiocese? Why did the "supervisors of the cathedral" apparently have the last word?

ELS , New Jersey, USA

Why was the original window replaced?

Martin, Hereford, England

If it is a Christian church there is no reason that the stained glass should not depict Christian themes. If (and I don't know if they go for such things) it were a Jewish synagog, it should reflect their themes. Since the Muslim religion has prohibitions against depicting people in art, then they may choose to have their stained glass be aesthetically pleasing as it suits them. Any religion that chooses to illuminate their place of worship with stained glass should be allowed to choose the design.

Jim Doles, New Orleans, Louisiana

Christian glass is 'christian' glass.
Stained glass is 'stained' glass.
Stains usually are removed.

Ian , london,

The Cathedral is a Catholic house of prayer. It is nonsense to say that it should not have art that reflects the Church's teachings and beliefs. If people of other faiths don't want to see depictions of Catholic faith then don't visit the Cathedral. It's fairly simple really.

Mark Dolahenty, Sydney, Australia

In my opinion, it is a good idea to symbolise God by means of a multitude of coloured glass panes. This approach saves us from identifying God with a person. Instead, we are reminded of the fact that He includes everything (here: all colours). Furthermore, the fact that the glass lets the light through hints at the "light from the unwaning light". Had Richter depicted saints, the focus would have been on people, not on God.

Ch. Neth, Heidelberg, Germany

I have to say, the obvious derisive tone of the TIMES in writing about the cardinal is more obvious than the art on the windows. The cardinal can't just express a strong opinion, he has to "fume" over it. Oh please.

He certainly has a point: It's a Catholic Christian church, why should it try to water that down with abstract images that say nothing in particular. It's like this -- you embrace the Faith, or you don't, and can go elsewhere to meditate or pray.

Tina, Laguna Beach, CA

It'll make it easier when the cathedral is converted to a mosque.

Ellen Morris, Leeds,

Secular art is a gift to humanity from the soul of the artist. The formation of the artists soul is a sequellae of his experiences, it is the essence of his being until the time of his creation, be it painting sculpture or otherwise.

Christian art inspires salvation.

Joseph MCKAY, Hamilton, NZ

Presumably a generation ago, the Cardinal would have spoken in terms of "Lutheran" iconoclasm rather than "Islamic" iconoclasm. It's hard to resist the notion that he is simply chasing headlines.

Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK

The comments from the cardinal wont upset me , he has the right to comment on something he dislikes , and i should hope he wants something to depict christianity , and not Judaism or Islam . He has every right to love christianity , and i support that . i hope he does a good job at sharing his love for chris to his congregation and help more people to see the light , the same way it happens in My religion Islam . unfortunately , many extremists who know NOTHING and i mean nothing about islam , suddenly want to represent me. they have hurt my religion and my security too , i want them to go away and not speak for me . I want Mr Ahmed Thomspon and Cat Stevens , and Sheikh Hamza from the US to speak for me , after hearing them , it would be my pleasure if they could speak for me . Regards

fatima (muslim), Oran , Algeria

Sir,
A straw man argument perhaps, as it does not appear that any Muslims have voiced any comment whatsoever?

SC, London, United Kingdom