You All Are Sinners !

They are called “Fastentücher” or “Hungertücher”, which, freely translated, means “Fasting Cloths” or “Hunger Cloths”.

They are also known by several other names, but by whatever name, they are meant to “punish the sinners” in Roman Catholic Churches.

The “Sinners”: that's everybody, with the possible exception of the Priest. ( Oh Yeah?? )

Nobody therefore is entitled to see the “Holy of Holiest” and therefore the Altar is hidden behind a piece of cloth between Ash Wednesday until Easter.

In the early days of this practice a simple unadorned piece of sack cloth was used to hide the Altar.

Later these cloths were decorated with scenes from the Bible, from which the illiterate public should get an idea of what happened to Jesus.

But forever the idea of punishment of the “believers” was foremost in the mind of the clergy.

This then was the refrain:

You are a human being, therefore you are a Sinner, therefore you are not worthy of seeing the Altar.

A number of these “cloths” produced by local artists of their time stem back to the early to mid 14^th Century or longer.

The “Fastentuch” in the Church of Haimburg dates back to the year 1504.

The little Church of Haimburg, Lower Carinthia.

Another curious visitor.

The "Fasting Cloth covers most of the Altar.

Details (above and below) show scenes of the Bible (mostly N.T.)

depicting the most cruel "punishment!"

scenes, which the Roman Catholic Church seems to relish.

This, astonishingly, is the Church which speaks of 

Love, Kindness, Forgiveness, 

but shows Horror and Tortour, here on Earth

and "Hellfire and Brimstone" and "Everlasting Burning Pain"

AMEN