Bishops outraged by ‘sacrilegious’ art show at Cultural Center

MANILA, Philippines—Catholic bishops and lay groups denounced Saturday what they called a  “sacrilegious” art exhibit at the Cultural Center of the Philippines that included a crucifix with a wooden penis attached to it.

Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez and retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz said that the artwork of Mideo Cruz was “disrespectful of Catholic beliefs.”

“They should be sensitive and respectful of those who might see it. They should respect the religion of others,” said Iñiguez, adding that the public should boycott the exhibit.

Beside the crucifix with the wooden penis, the exhibit also had a statue of the Christ the King with rabbit ears and a picture of the Holy Family with a condom over it.

“The ones who did those things are sick but they are not only sick, what they did was also sickening,” said Archbishop Cruz.

“No one in his right mind with the proper value system would even think of doing such things. I wonder if those who did those desecrations would allow me to do those things to them,” he said.

“Those responsible for this should better see a good psychiatrist, take their medicines so they’ll become normal, especially as their human sexuality is concerned,” he added.

Cruz said that the exhibit was related to the controversies over the reproductive health bill and same-sex marriage.

The Catholic Church is campaigning for Congress’ adoption of its own view of reproductive health and marriage.

In a television report, Cruz defended his art and said criticism is inevitable in his line of work.