TORONTO, Ont. March 30, 2007 – According to international news reports, artist Cosimo Cavallaro is exhibiting a 6-foot tall chocolate sculpture of a crucified Jesus with his genitals exposed during Holy Week, from April 1 to April 7 in the art gallery of a New York City hotel.
In comments to a phone-in show on CKLW, Windsor, CCRL executive director Joanne McGarry said: “This statue would be a jarring, offensive choice for any public area even if it had no religious overtones. But because it’s intended to be a portrayal of Jesus, (and to be consumed, no less!) and is being shown during Holy Week, the most sacred season of the Christian calendar, it is profoundly offensive, both to Christians and to all people who have any respect for religious symbols. I fully commend our US counterpart, The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, for calling for a boycott of this hotel.”
As a result of protests, the Roger Smith Hotel cancelled the exhibit and apologized to those who were offended by it. See update in Articles of Interest.
About CCRL
Catholic Civil Rights League (www.ccrl.ca) assists in creating conditions within which Catholic teachings can be better understood, cooperates with other organizations in defending civil rights in Canada, and opposes defamation and discrimination against Catholics on the basis of their beliefs. CCRL was founded in 1985 as an independent lay organization and has chapters across Canada. The Catholic Civil Rights League is a Canadian non-profit organization entirely supported by the generosity of its members.
For further information: Joanne McGarry, Executive Director, 416-466-8244; joanne.mcgarry@ccrl.ca