The Independent News Source
NCR on Kindle - NCR classifieds - YouTube - Twitter - Facebook - Email Alerts - RSS
Printer-friendly version
PDF versionVatican blasts ad of kissing pope
by John L Allen Jr on Nov. 16, 2011
These handout images from the "Unhate" ad campaign by the Benetton Group feature doctored images showing world leaders kissing, including one with Pope Benedict XVI and Sheik Ahmad el-Tayeb, president of al-Azhar University in Cairo; and one showing Chinese leader Hu Jintao and U.S. President Barack Obama. (CNS photo/Unhate Foundation)Update: Hours after the Vatican condemned an Italian ad campaign that depicted Pope Benedict XVI kissing a Muslim leader, the Italian fashion house Benetton withdrew the photo.
The Vatican today blasted as “completely unacceptable” a new advertisement by the Italian clothing giant Benetton, which shows Pope Benedict XVI kissing an Egyptian imam as part of a new campaign titled “Unhate.”
Other ads in the same series show President Barack Obama kissing Chinese Premier Hu Jintao, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu smooching Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. Posters with the images have appeared in Benetton clothing stores across the globe as well as in newspapers, magazines and on Internet websites.
In a statement released today, the Vatican said the ad featuring Benedict XVI reflects a “grave lack of respect for the pope” and indicated that the Secretariat of State, the Vatican’s central administrative office, is considering appeals to the “competent authorities … to ensure respect for the figure of the Holy Father.”
Relations between the Vatican and Islamic authorities in Egypt have been tense in recent months. The Al-Azhar mosque and university in Cairo, widely seen as a central point of reference in the Sunni world, suspended relations with the Vatican in the wake of comments by Benedict XVI protesting the treatment of Coptic Christians in Egypt.
In a statement released today, Benetton defended its ad campaign. The company, which became famous in the 1990s with a series of shocking ads, said it was also setting up a foundation to promote international tolerance.
“The central theme is the kiss, the most universal symbol of love, between world political and religious leaders,” the company said.
The following is an NCR translation of the Vatican statement.
Statement of Jesuit Fr. Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesperson, on Benetton Ad
A decisive protest must be expressed for the completely unacceptable use of the image of the Holy Father, manipulated and instrumentalized in the context of a publicity campaign of a commercial nature. It’s a question of a grave lack of respect for the pope, of an offense to the sentiments of the faithful, [and] of a evident demonstration of how, in the context of publicity, it’s possible to violate elementary rules of respect for persons in order to attract attention with provocations. The Secretariat of State is evaluating the steps to take with the competent authorities in order to guarantee a just protection of respect for the figure of the Holy Father.
LET'S END POPOLATRY .....
LET'S END POPOLATRY ..... Thanks, John. I agree the Benetton should not have used such a provocative image of the pope for commercial reasons at a critical time of religious tension in Egypt. I also hope they pull the ad immediately.
On the other hand, we need to get over the mystical nonsense that the pope is somehow supernatural. There is no biblical or theological justification for this idolatry.
This seeds of this idolatry go back to Constanine's imperial takeover of the Church. If this idolatry ever benefitted the implementation of the Gospels, its only legitimate justification, it clearly does no longer. If anything, it is undermining the Gospels at present.
For more information on the adverse impact of papal over-reach, please see the NCR comment and related cross links under the comment headings, "2012 ELECTIONS AND SEX ABUSE WAR" , accessible by clicking on at:
http://ncronline.org/news/politics/obama-meets-quietly-head-us-bishops
ONCE AGAIN, JERRY I SUGGEST
ONCE AGAIN, JERRY I SUGGEST YOU CONSULT PRIMARY SOURCES BEFORE MAKING WILD FALSE INTERPRETATIONS OF HISTORY. YOU MIGHT WANT TO START WITH ST CYPRIAN OF CARTHAGE REGARDING THE PRIMACY...HE LIVED ABOUT 100 YEARS BEFORE CONSTANTINE....
Maybe you should read the
Maybe you should read the other post again.
Mr. Slevin said nothing about Constantine and papal PRIMACY.
He seems to be referring to how the church morphed from being the church of Christ up to the 4th century - simple, humble, powerless, faithful to the gospels - into the imperial church it became after Constantine's strategic embrace of christianity during his military adventures that helped him become the emperor. So the now-in-favor with the emperor church quickly started to forget about the poor carpenter and the fishermen, pretty much seemed to forget about the gospels a good bit of the time, forgot the parts where Christ told them to go out with nothing but their cloaks (no mention of ermine, silk, and lace much less Pradas), emulated the empire, became rich and powerful, made war, persecuted heretics and other innocent people, and turned the pope into an idol.
Just look at where the pope lives, and how, and also his imperial court. The church even calls them "princes'. Look at how they dress. Look at the photos of the pope being borne on a litter by attendants instead of walking up the aisle in St. Peter's (he looks like an Indian maharajah a bit in those pix. Maybe someone should give him an elephant to ride on too). The most ludicrous examples of the imperial wardrobes in the church are probably the outfits of Burke, in clothing that most was assume was satire if it was on SNL,but, sadly, isn't, and some of the other prelates who love to waltz down a very long church aisle with their attendants carrying their 30' long silken trains.
Open your eyes and you will see exactly what Jerry Slevin is talking about.
Boycott Benetton! Or publish
Boycott Benetton! Or publish a poster having their CEO kiss the pope saying 'sorry'!
Boycott I will! I hope this
Boycott I will! I hope this movement goes viral!
"On the other hand, we need
"On the other hand, we need to get over the mystical nonsense that the pope is somehow supernatural."
Jerry,
I don't know about this statement....................
http://www.catholica.com.au/gc2/cr/002_cr_150308.php
Cheers,
How are we supposed to take
How are we supposed to take seriously a pied papal piper who dresses as he does?
Get a Life!
Typical Benetton. The more
Typical Benetton. The more you "hate" what they do, the happier they are.
For Benetton, there is no such thing as bad publicity.
Beginning in 1982 - 2000 with the "shock advertising" of Italian photographer Oliviero Toscani, they pushed the limits of decency and went for shock value, whatever that meant for them. I recall him saying on TV once that he used the strategy of centuries of "advertising and promotion" used by the Church.
Hey, it looks like Benetton just pulled the ad; ironic or sincere?
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hSvSJdZuu3vF_ZkzIanq_...
The Bishop of Rome is a human
The Bishop of Rome is a human being. The Vatican might want to try to see a bit of humor in this ad but the men in Rome apparently don't laugh all that much. I think the ad is both appropriate and funny with a message that we need to respect each others' differences and love one another. I give it five stars!
Benetton did it again. That
Benetton did it again. That company has been doing these genius marketing ads for years. Like them or not, they are memorable. Catholic League???...do I hear outrage that will cause their sales to increase 50%?
The company has committed the
The company has committed the offense of "a grave lack of respect for the pope." By way of recompense, order the company to give him, and three of his most fashion-conscious high-ranking curial officials, stunning and exclusive new ensembles.
dude, I commit that every day
dude, I commit that every day right here several times over, the duty of every truly practicing Roman Catholic, the obligation of every believer in Jesus Christ.
Wojo and ratzo have acted disrespectfully, disgracefully, dysfunctionally, without respect or reverence for our Holy Mother Church, whom they have sold out to the highest bidder, to bribes, to simony, and our only true and most holy response lies in "a grave lack of respect for the pope," bearing as we do a great and abiding respect for this Eternal Church, this pilgrim poor people of God lurching along despite them the path to Peace and justice in the Reign of God, who is Universal compassionate Love.
vatican ought to blast the
vatican ought to blast the production of cluster bombs, nearly universally condemned by all nations except for by their manufacturers and users like the USA.
vatican ought to blast the vampiric felonious economic system which leaves us all in extreme, hopeless poverty except for the fortunate few
vatican ought to blast the rich for stealing from the poor and to act with preferential option for the poor, in truth and in power and in action, not just blasting word, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give sanctuary for the illegal immigrant, liberate the imprisoned, love the enemy, where justice and peace shall kiss.
vatican ought to blast its old boys abusing small boys.
but since that circus clown wojo, former third rate theater mogul, all we have is the mask, and the propaganda, and the lies, and the beaming false grin, and the blasting of commercial advertisements, without reality.
Dear Fr Lombardi, Just how
Dear Fr Lombardi,
Just how many of us "faithful" did you consult before releasing this public statement.My sentiments were not al all offended and I found the image both confronting and challenging.
At least the Pope and the Iman were not wearing their pyjamas. That might have caused some concern!!!!
Really, those boys running the media office in the Vatican need to get a life.
Tony
Kissing is an expressing of a
Kissing is an expressing of a kind of love ! Love is different with sex. so, what's wrong with Pope and Egyptian Imam or Pope Benedict XVI and Sheik Ahmad el-Tayeb, president of al-Azhar University in Cairo? or between Obama and Chinese leader Hu Jintao ? Kissing is also a kind of cultural expression when people meet each other and they give kissing each other as a sign of welcome or greeting or salaam.Other people welcome someone by shaking hands like Indonesia people, other by kissing. It is not wrong. We have to accept, honor,value,love these different kinds of welcome,greeting or salaam. Please, Peace in diversity kinds of welcome,greeting or salaam ! I have to defend Pope,Egyptian Imam,Obama and Chinese Leader Hu Jiantao or others world leaders...Today, Nov 11 is World Philosophy Day. Let new perspectives and thoughts pervasive in your heart ! Let us build this world by love and not by hate and discrimination ! UNHATE !
Of course the Vatican
Of course the Vatican objects. Hate is the only thing the Pedophile Church has left to offer.
And it seems to be the only
And it seems to be the only thing you have to offer as well.
This morning I saw on CNN the
This morning I saw on CNN the other pictures of world leaders kissing. It was kind of a smack on the lips. The Pope looks to be in a clinch. CNN had the grace to show some pictures but not the Pope's. I support NCR 95% of the time, but I think they should have shown a little respect and not shown the picture. About the Pope's wardrobe. At the Peace Day of Prayer (?) in Assisi I saw some pretty wild outfits for other religions. The Buddhists were especially beautiful colorwise. Why should the Pope be any different in having distinctive dress? Tell me that Benneton would not do anything for a buck.
Perhaps the title of this
Perhaps the title of this article, taking the advice of another poster, could be more in-line with the Church's position and ACTUALLY be something the Vatican should publicly pronounce:
"Vatican Blasts Pedophile Priests and Their Bishops"
"Vatican Blasts the Abuse of Children"
"Vatican Blasts Finn for Incompetence"
"Vatican Blasts Those who Promoted Olmsted to a Position of Leadership"
"Vatican Blasts the Oppression of the 'Laity'"
"Vatican Blasts its Obstinacy Regarding Women"
"Vatican Blasts its Obstinacy Towards LGBT Community"
"Vatican Blasts Those Accusing it of Not Having a Sense of Humor"
Cheers,
"The Secretariat of State is
"The Secretariat of State is evaluating the steps to take with the competent authorities in order to guarantee a just protection of respect for the figure of the Holy Father."
Is the Secretariat of State evaluating the steps to take with the competent authorities in order to guarantee a just protection of children? of the laity lead by incompetent bishops using the sacraments as a weapon? Sorry.....I was daydreaming.......what was I thinking.....of course the "respect for the figure of the Holy Father" is way more important than anything else! God forbid that I even had that fleeting thought......hmmm, I wonder if I have incurred a venial sin or a mortal one here...........perhaps I should take a drive to Phoenix to find out 'for sure'.....NO.... I can't take the chance of being hit in a crosswalk before confession and ending up in Hell :(....perhaps lightening will strike first!
Cheers,
What now you people need to
What now you people need to argue about according someone like the holy father some respect? Kissing is not the sign of international peace, it's the handshake or at most a hug. How many world leaders, even allies have you seen kissing. That ad has homosexual innuendos nothing more!
Post new comment