Churchgoers are outraged over a crucifix in a Catholic church they say shows Jesus with exposed genitalia.
Janet Jaime is the artist who designed the crucifix hanging in St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. She was unavailable for comment, but her husband said critics are misinterpreting a common religious icon.
“This isn’t just a subjective drawing. This is a historical icon of the church,” said Reggie Jaime, husband of Janet Jaime, an Oklahoma City iconographer commissioned by the church to design the crucifix. “I can’t help what you see in things, or she sees in things, or anyone.”
The church’s pastor, Father Phillip Seeton, referred questions Wednesday to the Oklahoma City Archdiocese.
Monsignor Edward Weisenburger said he has no problems with the crucifix and referred specific questions back to Seeton.
Critics of the crucifix take issue with what appears to be a large penis covering the abdominal area.
The crucifix is about 10 feet tall and hangs above the church’s altar. It is unclear how long it has been there.
This reminds me of the Little Mermaid video cover controversy <a href="http://(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Little_Mermaid_%281989_film%29).” target=”_blank”>(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Little_Mermaid_%281989_film%29). Apart from that, I personally see exactly what the congregation is seeing. Um, eww.
Romans typically stripped people when they crucified them, so Jesus was most likely naked on the cross. The loincloth that most depictions of Jesus on the cross is a fabrication to reduce the shock value in a society that considers nudity offensive.