German bishop's Easter jest becomes a viral sensation

The tradition of risus paschalis, or "Easter laughter," may have waned in popularity since the 19th century, but it is still practised in certain areas. On this day, the joy of Christ's resurrection is celebrated with laughter.

Bishop Stefan Oster, from Passau, is at the heart of this story. The joke he told brought joy to those attending the service and captivated a global online audience. By Thursday, the video of his joke had garnered almost a million views.

Before sharing his prepared anecdote, Bishop Stefan Oster expressed hope that it wouldn't offend anyone, stressing its humorous intent. The story he told was set in the 1920s and involved a city woman planning a trip to the Bavarian Forest. With tourism in its infancy, she inquired by letter about the availability of running water and a toilet, using the abbreviation "WC."

The mayor was baffled by the abbreviation, so he sought the local priest's interpretation. The priest guessed that "WC" likely referred to "Waldkapellchen" (a forest chapel), misunderstanding the acronym due to the then-modern jargon.

In their detailed response, the tourist was reassured that the "WC" in the Bavarian Forest was a longstanding facility, available for use for over 300 years, and accessible on foot. It was said to accommodate about 30 visitors comfortably, without overcrowding issues, thanks to individual visits during the week and a pastor managing order during busier times.

The humorous climax of the story involved the "WC" hosting a brass band for special occasions, promising the tourists a musical enhancement to their visit and hoping to convince them to stay in their charming village. The joke concluded by welcoming people from afar to experience their unique "WC."

The online video captured the laughter of those present and showed the bishop and participants visibly touched by the moment's joy.