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Catholic World News News Feature

Cardinal responds to blasphemous art exhibit December 02, 2004

Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, called on the faithful this week not to be afraid and to persevere in the faith in response to a blasphemous art exhibit taking place in the Argentinean capital.

"For some time public expressions of ridicule and insult of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Most Holy Virgin Mary, as well as numerous exhibits against the religious and moral values we profess, have been on display throughout the city," the cardinal warned.

He lamented that the exhibiting of blasphemous art is taking place at a cultural center that is funded by taxpayer money.

"Jesus warned us that these things would take place, and with much tenderness he told us not to be afraid, that we are his small flock, that we should persevere in the struggle for the faith and in charity, placing our hope in him and praying with the true confidence of children of a Father who loves us," he added.

He also announced an act of reparation and request for forgiveness will take place on December 7, the vigil of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. "I invite you to pray and fast on that day, as a day of penance during which we pray to the Lord, as a Christian community, for forgiveness of our sins and of those of our city. May our Lady of Lujan be with us in her affection," he concluded.

The cardinal made his statement in response to an art exhibit by Leon Ferrari, a well-known militant atheist who has made hundreds of anti-Catholic works such as saints burning themselves in a toaster, the Blessed Mother in a frying pan, and a statue of the Last Supper in which Christ and the Apostles face a pack of rats.

In 1997, Ferrari founded the Club for the Impious, Heretics, Apostates, Blasphemers, Atheists, Agnostics, and Infidels.