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 Troops being withdrawn from Iraq as a result of the Socialist general-election victory three days after Madrid’s terrorist massacre, wear the Moorslayer’s red cross on their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”.

[nuconvert]

Thanks for that info

[DannyTN]

I still think the guy was onto something who said we should upholster airplane seats with pigskins and serve pork rinds as snacks on airplanes.

[expatguy]

Jesus Christ offends muslims. Going to take down the crucifix too?

To answer to your question, we will eventually either take it down willingly or it will be removed.

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

Yes! Gets my vote!

[BenLurkin]

And print this "offensive" picture on the tickets:

[AnAmericanMother]

Santiago!

(What a bunch of cowardly appeasers. They need to be praying to this saint, not shuffling him off to a storage room in a museum somewhere.)

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

I know they don't pear figs. I was joking.

[garjog]

"Could someone park a car across the street from the mosque and play Led Zeppelin?"

That would make you the target of a crazed suicide bomber screaming "God is Great!" and jumping on your hood or a holy warrior firing a rocket-propelled grenade in your general direction.

[DannyTN]

lol, That's right.

There's bound to be an "anti-immigration" angle here. How can we get the culture so infused with images like piglet, that Muslims leave voluntarily?

[Eurotwit]

Yeah, that is the story. Unfortunately, I was not able to find an English link:

Cartoon pig must go - Offends muslims

A picture of a pig in the childrens Hospital in Kristiansand is being removed because it upsets muslims.

Just prior to easter the Director of the hospital was notified about the unclean animan, and now the hospital is considering removing the offending picture which hangs on the door to rooom number 117.

Islamexpert and proffesor at the University of Oslo, kari Vogt, said that the hospital is doing the right thing by choosing a less controvesial animal than the pig.

- For muslims and jews the pig is an unclean animal. A muslim woman who comes to the hospital with a sick kid, will be horrified by seeing such an image of a pig. ......

Mohammed Arshad Dar, the leader of the Muslim Faith Communities in the region, is happy that the picture nopw will be removed. He tells the story of how he was aangry at the picture 12 years ago when he visited the hospital....

The Hospital priest thinks that it costs very little to accomodate the muslims.

- We have to be as open minded and tolerant as we can. In this case is doesn't cost us much ssaid the Hospital priest.

http://www.p4.no/txo/85345.asp

---

That is my quick and rough translation from a story from the Norwegian wire service.
There was some debate, but the picture was removed.

Nuconvert- Vogt is a perfect example of what Shabana Rehman calls Halal-Hippie.

[Eurotwit]

Yeah :-)

[hunter112]

They may as well send the statue over here, this saint did not inspire the Spaniards in the last election...

[pbear8]

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

There was peace in Spain from 1492 - March 11, 2004.

[BenLurkin]

"The Hospital priest thinks that it costs very little to accomodate the muslims. "

Wrong, Father. It is going to cost you everything.

[Verginius Rufus]

What happens when they learn there are 3 cities in Mexico named Matamoros (one across the border from Brownsville, Texas)? Will Mexico agree to rename the cities?

Then there's the town of Matamoras, Pennsylvania...but we can tell them the name has to do with some women who had to be killed to preserve the family honor, and they'll understand.

[CGVet58]

I don't know how to post a pic, but here's the link for the statue:

http://www.fnarr.net/camino/px/20020601_180423.jpg

[McGavin999]

Bow down Spain, and lick the feet of your masters.

[B Knotts]

Sancte Johannes, ora pro nobis.

[pbear8]

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

There was peace in Spain from 1492 - March 11, 2004.

[BabyRepub]

"We have to be as open minded and tolerant as we can. In this case is doesn't cost us much," said the Hospital priest.

Not this time. Probably next. When will we put our foot down and refuse to give Muslims any more special services than other religious minorities? This is getting ridiculous.