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	Shots Fired near Papal Mass in Germany Monsters and Critics September 24, 2011 http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1664837.php/Shots-fired-near-papal-mass-in-Germany Erfurt, Germany - Shots were fired at security officers shortly before Pope Benedict XVI began saying mass in the east German city of Erfurt on Saturday, broadcaster MDR reported. Police played down the incident, saying that it had occurred two hours before the mass began at 9 am (0700 GMT) and that nobody had been injured. A spokesman refused to confirm that shots had been fired during the incident, which took place 100 metres from where the mass was held. Citing witnesses, MDR reported that the perpetrator had already been arrested and his flat searched. During the mass, on the third day of the 84-year-old pope's four-day visit to his native Germany, Benedict praised eastern Germans for keeping their faith despite persecution during the Nazi and Communist regimes of the 20th century. 'May God richly reward their tenacity in the faith,' said the head of the Catholic church. 'That courageous witness and that patient trust in God's guidance are like a precious seed that promises rich fruit for the future.' Erfurt was the host Friday of a meeting between the pope and members of the Lutheran church in which they discussed ecumenicalism and the needs for Christianity to push back against the spread of secularism. He also met with victims of sexual abuse by priests and church officials, as well as people who work with and help the victims. Later Saturday, he is to head to Freiburg, in the southern German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, a major Catholic stronghold. Meetings are scheduled with former German chancellor Helmut Kohl and representatives of the Orthodox church. Although Benedict has been to Germany twice since his ascension to the papacy in 2005, this is his first official state visit as head of the Vatican. The visit has drawn thousands of Germans out to see the pope, but also protests against church policy on homosexuals and women working as priests and demonstrations against the church's alleged role in covering up sexual abuse by church workers against children at facilities, with some cases stretching back decades.
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