Vandalised billboard to stay
Taonga News
| 19 Dec 2011
Print This
TEXT
Top News...
- Latest
- Most commented
-
Vandalised billboard outside St Matthew-in-the-City.
-
Billboard protesters kneel in prayer outside St Matthew-in-the-City.
-
St Matthew-in-the-City's Christmas billboard, portraying Mary's anxiety over a pregnancy test.
St Matthew-in-the-City will not replace its vandalised billboard which portrays Jesus’ mother, Mary, looking at a home pregnancy test kit revealing that she is pregnant.
The billboard was ripped in half by a Whangarei man leading a Catholic Action Group protest group.
Over 100 Catholics marched through Auckland protesting at the billboard, but the church says it has had positive feedback from around the world.
In a press release today, priest associate Clay Nelson said: "Our billboard ... pointed to the social circumstances of a young, poor, unmarried mother in first-century Palestine. It would have taken tremendous faith and courage to withstand the prejudice of her critics.
"We hoped that people would think of those in similar circumstances, and respond with kindness.
"Our billboard was ripped on Saturday evening by a group intolerant of any views on Mary except their own. Further, they made statements that this is the ‘devil’s work’.
"There is a sad and sick history in Christianity of demonising those you disagree with. It is of concern that such prejudice is present in New Zealand.
"We have decided not to replace the original billboard but let the current ripped one remain as a reminder of both the intolerance in Mary’s society and in our own."
Earlier, Mr Nelson said the original purpose behind the billboard was to spark conversation about Mary's possible response to the fact that she was pregnant.
"That discovery would have been shocking," Mr Nelson said. "Mary was unmarried, young, and poor. This pregnancy would shape her future. She was certainly not the first woman in this situation or the last."
Vicar Glynn Cardy added: “Christmas is real. It’s about a real pregnancy, a real mother and a real child. It’s about real anxiety, courage and hope.
“Although the make-believe of Christmas is enjoyable – with tinsel, Santa, reindeer, and carols – there are also some realities.
"Many in our society are suffering: some through the lack of money, some through poor health, some through violence, and some through other hardships. The joy of Christmas is muted by anxiety.
“In this season we encourage one another to be generous to those who suffer, to give to strangers, and to care for all – especially those who have the least. Like the first Santa, St Nicholas did.
“We invite all who celebrate the season to hold these different strands of a real Christmas together: anxiety and joy, suffering and compassion, Santa and Jesus.”
Editors' Picks
'Horrific' violence against women
Violence against women in the Pacific is “horrific” and must be addressed, says an Australian...
Back to the community – every day
What we need is a "Back to the Community" campaign, says the vicar of a quake zone.
Cathedral bells bound for UK
The ChristChurch Cathedral bells will soon be enroute to England for testing and repair.
New guidelines for marriage rites
A “consensus description” of Anglican theology on marriage rites is being finalized by the Int...
A unique and final honour
Sir Paul Reeves is accorded a unique last honour. He is laid to rest on the gentle north-facin...
Decision time on gay ordination
The question of whether openly gay and lesbian people can be ordained should be settled s...
© Anglican Taonga
ANGLICAN TAONGA is the communications arm of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia / Te Haahi Mihanare ki Niu Tireni, ki Nga Moutere o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa. TAONGA magazine is published three times a year and distributed to all Anglican ministry units and agencies. TAONGA also publishes occasional booklets on church, ministry and sacraments. The General Editor of TAONGA is accountable to the Communications Commission of General Synod / te Hinota Whanui, 200 St Johns Road, Meadowbank, Auckland 1742.
Comments on this story
Log in or create a user account to comment.