The Grail Movement is an organization which originated in Germany in the late 1940s, inspired by the work of Oskar Ernst Bernhardt (also known by his pen name Abd-ru-shin), principally In the Light of Truth: The Grail Message. Abd-ru-shin did not found the organization; the Movement as it exists today was formally organized by followers.

The Grail Movement has been described as a new religious movement. Most members reside in Western Europe (primarily Germany and France), and the group claims to have hundreds of members in Britain and thousands worldwide. It can also be found in Quebec, Canada and in some West African countries such as Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire.

Worldwide, there are about 10,000 members of the Grail Movement. A declaration of the personal commitment to adhere to the principles of the Grail message can be made by a request for the “Sealing”; a Grail Act (ceremony) that takes place during one of three annual festivals. This, however, is a personal decision on the part of the individual and leads neither to commitment to an organisation nor to formal links with other adherents.

Contents 1 Background 2 Czech cannibalism case 3 Publications 3.1 Grail Movement Books 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Background

The world view of members of the Grail Movement is based mainly on the work In the Light of Truth, written by Oskar Ernst Bernhardt and published under the name Abd-ru-shin.

[edit] Czech cannibalism case

In May, 2007, a case of an abused 7 year old Ondrej was accidentally discovered in small town Kurim near Brno, Czech Republic. Two weeks later, in May, 19th, a sensational article appeared in the Czech newspaper Mlada Fronta DNES, stating, that a bizarre cult may stay behind, most probably the so called Grail Movement^[1]. The newspaper was quoted by many others all over the world^[2].

The Grail Movement responded vigorously at press conferences and in articles, stating that people involved had been previously part of it, but the Movement broke with them 11 years ago, 1996, their behavior being quite opposite to the Grail Movement’s principles. They must have probably established its own bizarre cult, having, however, nothing to do with the Grail Movement. This statement was supported by the opinion of all Czech religionists inquired (^[3][4][5], in Czech).

In 2008, the case was tried, some more details disclosed and the people involved were sentenced to 5 – 11 years imprisonment. At that time, the cult was called rather "Nameless sect of Mr. Skrla" in Czech media (^[6], in Czech). Nevertheless, once the Pandora´s box had been opened, Grail Movement was still connected to the case in foreign papers.

In October 2009, a lawsuit took place in Prague with MAFRA, the issuer of daily newspaper "Mlada Fronta DNES" and the Grail Movement Foundation in the Czech Republic, who claimed a public excuse. The Foundation won the lawsuit. Copy of the verdict is here^[7]. The issuer may appeal.

[edit] Publications

[edit] Grail Movement Books

• In the Light of Truth: The Grail Message, Vol. 1 (Paperback). Abd-ru-shin, Grail Foundation Press, 1998,ISBN 157461-000-7
• The Ten Commandments of God and The Lord's Prayer, Abd-ru-shin,Grail Foundation Press,1995, ISBN 157461004X
• Knowledge for the World of Tomorrow, Herbert Vollmann, Grail Message Foundation,Germany, 1975, ISBN 3878600747
• What Lies Behind It...?, Herbert Vollmann, Grail Message Foundation, 1977, ISBN 3878600836
• Concerning Grail Activities, Herbert Vollmann, Grail Acres Publishing Co Ltd, 1998, ISBN 3878601166
• From the Heart of Africa, Irmingard Bernhardt, Grail Message Foundation,Grail Acres Publishing Co Ltd, 1981, ISBN 3878601018

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Official Website of the Grail Movement