Regards, Ivan
Posted on 04/17/2006 12:32:02 AM PDT by MadIvan
THE controversy over cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad was reignited yesterday after an Italian Catholic magazine printed one on its front cover.
Studi Cattolici carried a drawing of the Prophet in Hell, with the Italian writer Dante Alighieri asking the poet Virgil: "That man divided in two from his head to his feet - isn't that Muhammad?" Virgil replies: "Yes, it is him and he is in two because he has divided society - while the man next to him with his arms down represents Italian politics towards Islam."
The cartoon is a play on Dante's Inferno - a similar scene is painted on the ceiling of the San Petronio Cathedral in Bologna, which had been the planned target of a Islamic terrorist cell until the plot was uncovered.
Yesterday, there was widespread condemnation of the decision to print the cartoon - earlier this year riots erupted across the Muslim world after similar cartoons were published in Denmark.
But Studi Cattolici, which has close ties with the Vatican and the secretive Opus Dei group, defended the decision to publish it.
Its editor, Cesare Cavallieri, said: "It is not a cartoon against Muhammad but rather a cartoon about the loss of identity in the West."
However, Opus Dei distanced itself from the magazine, saying:
"We wish to express our solidarity with the Muslim communities of Italy and the world. We consider it deplorable that this cartoon should appear in a magazine that has the name Catholic in its title.
"Its publication shows a lack of sensitivity and Christian charity. Although Opus Dei has no responsibility for this magazine and each person is responsible for his or her own actions, we wish to ask forgiveness for the offence given."
The newspaper Corriere Della Sera warned that the cartoon risked "an inferno of controversy".
Muslim groups in Italy also condemned the publication of the cartoon. Roberto Piccardo, of the Italian Union of Muslims, said: "The mother of cretins is always pregnant."
Regards, Ivan
Ping!
I have to admit that's a pretty good line.
They tried to blow up the Basilica in Balogna because it contains a 15-century depiction of Mo being devoured by demons in Hell.
As an art historian and church lover, I think that would be grounds for me to declare Jihad against Islam, don't you think?
Surprises me that Opus Dei would be falling over themselves to apologize for alleged "insensitivity" towards Islam. From what I know about the organization, its a staunchly orthodox, hard-corps Catholic organization, and one that would (or should, apparently) have no qualms about standing up to the bullying nature of Islamo-terrorists.
Dante had some quite prominent Christians in his Purgatory as well.
But I guess only Muslims can be offended by art.
...thought you might get a kick out of this one, AJC.
Opus Dei a secretive organization? Someones been reading too much DaVinci Code.
Yes, I caught that, too. Apparently Opus Dei isn't so secretive that they couldn't find a spokesman to make a statement.
Bump
The more "cartoons" of Mohammed that see the light of publication, the sooner the Muslims will have to find something else to complain about. If Christian religions can be parodied in the press so, too, can Islam.
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If the current demographics keep up in Europe, then you will get your wish in a way you would have never imagined.
The fresco is in an inaccessible part of the church and is now only visible at an angle from a distance; this old black-and-white image is one of the few official photos ever taken that shows a straight frontal view of the figures.
Catholic Ping - Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list
Not that the rise of Islam and the decline Western Civilisation are mutually exclusive.
Some of the greatest artists in Christendom have illustrated the final destination of corrupt clergy. Dante portrayed Bishops and Cardinals in hell, as did Michelangelo in his fresco of the Last Judgment. St. John Christostom said "the floor of hell is paved with the skulls of Bishops."
But as you know, only Muslims are above criticism.
I expect a redux to the Danish mess.
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