Spanish Moor-killing saint is given the chop (Might offend muslims)

The Times ^ | 3 May, 2004 | From David Sharrock in Madrid

[Eurotwit]

Santiago cathedral is to lose its politically incorrect sculpture

A STATUE of Spain’s patron saint, Saint James “the Moorslayer”, is to be removed from one of the country’s most famous cathedrals and pilgrimage centres in case it offends Muslims. The decision, announced by Santiago Cathedral’s church authorities, has outraged traditional Catholics, many of whom still light candles and pray to the 18th-century statue in the tiny chapel inside one of Christendom’s three greatest pilgrim places of worship.

Although the cathedral’s spokesman insisted the decision was taken four months ago to remove the Moorslayer sculpture — which depicts the sword-wielding apostle of Jesus astride a white charger, trampling the beheaded corpses of Saracens — Spain’s national press said the announcement had more to do with the March 11 massacre of 190 people by Islamic terrorists in Madrid.

El Mundo said that the echoes from mainland Europe’s worst terrorist atrocity had accelerated the withdrawal of the famous symbol and its translation to a museum. St James, according to custom, guided the Christians to reconquer Muslim Spain.

“According to our sources, the authorities fear that the expressive image could attract the anger of the Arab world in a period of high tension,” the newspaper said.

The cathedral’s spokesman said the basilica received visits from people of distinct and various traditions and therefore needed to avoid a situation in which “persons of other cultures felt offended”.

The cathedral intends to replace the politically incorrect sculpture with another one also made in the 18th century by the same artist, José Gambino. However, it will depict the more peaceful tradition of the apostle, Saint James the Pilgrim.

“The pilgrim apostle is a universal image, whereas the other sculpture was related to a historic epoch and very particular circumstances,” said cathedral sources.

Nevertheless the mythical role of Saint James the Moorslayer still exerts a powerful attraction to Spaniards. Troops being withdrawn from Iraq as a result of the Socialist general-election victory three days after Madrid’s terrorist massacre, wear the Moorslayer’s red cross on their uniforms.

Legend has it that St James, son of Zebedee and Salomé and St John’s brother, had preached Christianity in Spain before returning to Judea where he was beheaded by King Herod Agrippa in AD44.

His body miraculously floated in its stone sarcophagus across the Mediterranean and around the Iberian peninsula. It landed at Iria Flavia, a short distance from Galicia’s capital, which was later named Santiago de Compostela after him.

His body’s return to Spain inspired the Christian troops fighting the Moorish occupiers at the Battle of Clavijo in 844. He appeared on a white cloud and urged them on with his sword. The crusaders shouted to him: “Santiago y cierra Espana! St James, we will reconquer Spain!” The story reinforced the Catholic Church’s identity as a crusading force whose great aim was to defeat Islam. Monarchs, including Carlos V and Felipe V, had their portraits painted sitting on horses and dressed in similar attire to the Moorkiller.

Cervantes’ great hero, Don Quixote, called St James the Moorslayer “one of the most valiant saints and knights that the world has ever had”. The removal of the statue was welcomed by Muslims as “a great step towards achieving peace”.

Housaam El Mahmoudi, president of the Association of Moroccan Students in Santiago said that the statue’s withdrawal would open the way to “understanding and living together”.

He added that Saint James the Moorkiller was one of Christianity’s most savage symbols and “a provocation to the Arab community”.

But one conservative commentator, Cesar Lopez Llera, attacked the decision-makers, saying that it would not be long before “they surprise us with the naming of a nun as bishop or the recommendation of the use of condoms to avoid Aids”.

[NeoCaveman]

St. James the Moorslayer, pray for us.

[FreedomFarmer]

You start the popcorn, I'll put my El Cid DVD on.

[Liberty Valance]

Oh my. That slippery slope toward appeasement. It's just a few hundred coalition soldiers...no big deal. It's just a catholic cathedral...no big deal. It's just a statue of a Saint...no big deal. That slippery slope ends at Islamic domination and the end of western civilization as you knew it...no big deal.

[VOA]

A STATUE of Spain’s patron saint, Saint James “the Moorslayer”, is to be removed
from one of the country’s most famous cathedrals and pilgrimage centres in case
it offends Muslims.

Saint James "The Moorslayer"...
hey, I suspect some of Christian supporters of Israel here in the USA would
even be willing to assume ownership of this saint...
and we won't charge anything to remove his statues.

(This is only said to the sector of Spineless Spanish Catholics...not to
offend the good Catholics who hold fast in the face of The Religion of Peace.)

[Eurotwit]

Trust me, I am not laughing.

In Norway a picture of a cartoon pig from Winnie the Poh (sp?) was just removed from a childrens ward in one of our hospitals.

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

I think even mentioning the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob should be banned, don't you? It's okay to mention Jesus as long as he's seen as equal with Mohammed. Why don't we just turn over the deed for the United States to the Muslims? We're the infidels.

[wimpycat]

“Santiago y cierra Espana! St James, we will reconquer Spain!”

"Cierra Espana" means, "Close Spain!" (to the Moors).

[jocon307]

"Going to take down the crucifix too?"

Yes, that will be next, no doubt. Joined by the ACLU if they're lucky.

[Publius6961]

Civilization's headstone: "We didn't want to offend Muslims"

Trying to find an image of the offending statue for framing, what should I find?
Surprise! Surprise!

"The whole town, except the tomb itself, was destroyed in 997 by Abu 'Amir al-Mansur (Almanzor), military commander of the Moorish caliphate of Córdoba."

[wimpycat]

The cathedral’s spokesman said the basilica received visits from people of distinct and various traditions and therefore needed to avoid a situation in which “persons of other cultures felt offended”.

Of course, it's perfectly OK to offend people of your own culture.

[an amused spectator]

The Spanish dhimmis need to look on the bright side:

According to Islamic law as quoted by Malik's Muwatta Book 17, Number 17.24.46:

"The sunna is that there is no jizya due from women or children of people of the Book, and that jizya is only taken from men who have reached puberty.”

[quadrant]

Spain has become the Canada of Europe.

[spindoctor]

Another pathetic act of cowardess. Why don't they just all convert to Islam?

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

The image of Piglet was removed from a hospital mural? Why? Because of Islam's prohibition on pork? Is that what you're saying??!

Do you have an article on this? Please say you do.

[jpsb]

is it possible for a nation to be more cowardly then Spain? And to think Spain was once a great nation. Spain hang your head in shame, you are not worthy of your illustrious history.

[coldpatriot]

Trying to find an image of the offending statue for framing, what should I find?
Surprise! Surprise!

"The whole town, except the tomb itself, was destroyed in 997 by Abu 'Amir al-Mansur (Almanzor), military commander of the Moorish caliphate of Córdoba."


I'm stunned

[VOA]

"The removal of the statue was welcomed by Muslims as “a great step towards achieving peace”."

Spain...on the fast-track to dhimmitude!

http://www.dhimmiwatch.org
http://www.jihadwatch.org

[nuconvert]

jizya = "protection money" that has to be paid
by the DHIMMIS under Islamic rule.

[Eurotwit]

Just a sec. I'll do a search. It might only be in Norwegian though. It was a relatively big story here in Norway a few months ago.