Poland’s Roman Catholics expressed outrage on Thursday after a magazine published a picture of the much-revered icon of the Black Madonna with pop icon Madonna’s face transposed on to it.
"We are shocked to see, yet again, the miraculous icon of the mother of God used in a [profane] way for advertising and business purposes," said Paulinian monks at Jasna Gora monastery in the southern city of Czestochowa, who are custodians of the icon that Poles believe was painted by St Luke the Evangelist.
Pop magazine Machina published a photograph of the sacred icon, with pop idol Madonna’s face transposed over the face of the Virgin and one of the singer’s children in the place of the baby Jesus, on the cover of the issue that hit the newsstands on Thursday after a three-year publishing hiatus.
"The icon, along with the crucifix and the Bible, are key symbols of faith for all Christians," the monks said in a statement published on their website.
"Current events have shown us where abuse of religious images and symbols can lead," the statement said, referring indirectly to the wave of protests that have hit the Muslim world since the publication of caricatures of the prophet Muhammad in several European newspapers.
Ultra-Catholic daily newspaper Nasz Dziennik slammed Machina’s cover photo as "another act of profanation of sacred symbols", and Poland’s Tolerancja.pl website has received scores of messages of protest.
Machina’s publisher, Piotr Metz, said he was "surprised" by the outrage sparked by the magazine’s cover and issued a statement saying the magazine did "not intend to offend anyone’s religious feelings". [Source]
"Current events have shown us where abuse of religious images and symbols can lead," – well that statement is rather odd considering that there won’t be any type of similar reaction. No Catholic youths killing imams or priests with portfolio of false images looking to incite violence. Though there might be some Rosaries raised in anger.
On a funnier note Maureen Martin strikes again with Tanzanian Paper Publishes Cartoons Mocking Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Genealogy Service – Latter Day Saints React With ‘Pouting’, Coffee Drinking
10 comments
Groups influenced by Christianity should act as shown in the Mormon satire. The average christian will take to heart the idea that he should turn the other cheek when insulted and praise those amongst his brothers that do so. Too bad all groups don’t have a similar tradition.
…and raids on Mountain Dew’s at convenience stores everywhere!
Way to rain on my parade, Nick. And there was I all set with torches and gasoline . . .
It could have been worse; they could have used this photo of Madonna
Note: It’s not obscene.
“Profanation of sacred symbols” was Madonna’s schtick from way back. Remember all those rosaries and crucifixes she used to haul around? I used to think the name “Madonna” was just her stage name. (Nope. That’s how she was christened. Shudder.)
To second the other Kate’s comments, the magazine is sooo behind the times. Madonna got into the Kabbalah and started calling herself “Esther”–maybe they should’ve pasted her face on a kitten playing with red string–but then again, they think it’s much more permissible to make fun of Catholic things. Grrr.
This story only confirms my suspicions that the faith of Catholics in Poland is only heading in the same direction as that of so many others in the west.
There is a big difference between a madonna & The Madonna! Say what’s her real name anyway?!
Madonna only has two kids, Lourdes and Rocco. And yeah, Madonna is her real name. Her poor deceased mother was a serious Catholic.
What a slap in her mothers face. She must be spinning in her grave.