Preserve the historic Holy Blood Altar in Weingarten Basilica!

The Holy Blood Altar is far more than a liturgical site. It is a significant testimony to liturgical history, sacred art, and the pilgrimage tradition in Weingarten. [3]
The present altar was created in the early 1930s in the spirit of the Liturgical Movement. [4] It enabled the celebration of the Eucharist for the people long before the reforms of the Second Vatican Council and thus possesses an exceptional ecclesiastical-historical significance. [5]
At the same time, the plaster marble altar with its baroque design forms a harmonious unity with the church space of the basilica and is the heart for the Holy Blood relic. It was created specifically for this place and has shaped the image of the altar rail for generations. The altar houses the relic of the Holy Blood, which is the object of veneration for numerous pilgrims and the focal point of the long-standing Holy Blood pilgrimage. [6] 
The basilica is not only a parish church but also one of the most important Baroque buildings in Germany and a outstanding monument of the state of Baden-Württemberg. [7, 8] Changes to such a unique space should be guided by the principle of preserving historically grown and identity-forming elements if no compelling reasons oppose this.
Many believers, pilgrims, art enthusiasts, as well as citizens connect personal memories and religious experiences with the Holy Blood Altar. Its preservation serves not only heritage protection but also a living piece of faith history and regional identity. [9] 
Therefore we demand:

• the permanent preservation of the historic Holy Blood Altar in its established place, as a freestanding altar it fully enables liturgy according to the Second Vatican Council (SC) (SC, Articles 124-128) [10] and fully meets the requirements for an altar according to the norms of the Roman Missal [11] 
• the renunciation of its demolition or removal,
• an open dialogue with the parish/society, monument preservation authorities, experts, and the interested public.

The Basilica of Weingarten is an outstanding cultural monument of supra-regional importance. With the historic Holy Blood Altar, a unique witness to liturgical and art history would be lost, which cannot be replaced.
Therefore we ask all responsible parties to rethink the plans and, together with the monument preservation authorities, experts, the parish, and the public, seek a solution that meets both the liturgical requirements and the historical and spiritual significance of this unique altar. The preservation of the historic Holy Blood Altar is not clinging to the past. It is a sign of respect for the history of this significant pilgrimage site and of responsibility toward future generations.

Let us preserve the Holy Blood Altar – for Weingarten, for the pilgrimage, and for our shared cultural and spiritual heritage.
Thank you very much for your support!
Johannes Paul Weiß with Dr. Alexander Reichle and all who feel connected to the Basilica of Weingarten.
Thank you so much for your support, Johannes Paul Weiß, Weingarten