Milwaukee Art Museum's embrace of condom portrait of pope draws disgust

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/milwaukee-art-museums-embrace-of-condom-portrait-of-pope-draws-disgust-b99527618z1-310570591.html ^

[MNDude]

The decision by the Milwaukee Art Museum to acquire and prominently display a controversial portrait of Pope Benedict XVI fashioned from 17,000 colored condoms has created outrage among Catholics and others who see it as profoundly disrespectful, even blasphemous.

Many suggest that if a piece were as offensive to other faith traditions or communities it would not be tolerated, much less embraced.

Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki blasted the decision as insulting and callous. The museum acknowledged it has fielded about 200 complaints. A handful of patrons dropped their memberships; one longtime docent tendered her resignation; and at least one donor vowed never to support the museum financially again.

Museum officials said an equal number of people have voiced support for the piece and that memberships and pledges in general are growing. They said they regret that the portrait, by Shorewood artist Niki Johnson, has elicited such enmity. But they insist it was not their intent — nor the intent of the artist — to offend Catholics or anyone else. And they said they continue to enjoy the support of people of all faiths, including Catholics.

"This was never intended to be derisive, mocking or disrespectful of the pope," said museum board of trustees president Don Layden. "It was to have a conversation about AIDS and AIDS education. And my hope is when the piece appears in the museum that will be the focus of the discussion."

Jerry Topczewski, chief of staff for Listecki, called that explanation "a smoke screen."

"What's at play here is either an intentional attack on a faith tradition and its teachings or a publicity stunt for the artist," he said. "And we would be opposed to any faith tradition or religious leader being attacked in such a way."

[Pollster1]

"Milwaukee Art Museum's embrace of condom portrait of Mohammed" draws . . . what reaction? I'd love to see the socialists try that one.

Our problem is they trust us to be civilized and to follow our values even when we are facing pure evil. We have to recognize that our enemies are not people of good will with a different perspective. They are pure evil, and we have to stop compromising with them and tolerating their antics. This museum should be cut off from taxpayer dollars.

[DoodleDawg]

But they insist it was not their intent — nor the intent of the artist — to offend Catholics or anyone else.

Absolulte manure.

[The Great RJ]

A bunch of irate Catholics enter the museum guns blazing killing scores of innocent people to express their outrage. Oops ... wrong religion

[TXnMA]

QUESTION: Are Catholics now threatening to shoot and behead people because of that "portrait"?

[Vaquero]

This country is doomed. There is only a remnant now.

The country seceded from US. We just need to organize the new state

[Oatka]

I’ll be the first to say it... when is their condom made portrait of Mohammed going to be?

One of my wet dreams is to attend some art gathering where the Piss Christ, the Dung Madonna or now the Condom Pope is on display and stand beside the creator.

Then I'd nudge him and ask, with ever-so-innocent eyes, "I hear to going to do the same to the image of Mohammed. When will it go on display?"

Then stand back and watch him soil himself.