Macy's dressing mannequins up like Borgia Popes (Lent - the season to offend Catholics)

Catholic League ^ | March 31, 2011 | William Donohue

[NYer]

Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on how Macy's department store is offending Catholics:

Why Macy's would want to pick a fight with Catholics during the Lenten season is not known, but that it has is certain. Here's the background.

This weekend, Showtime will begin airing a series, "The Borgias," a corrupt Spanish family, one of whose members became pope. Everyone, including devout Catholics, agrees this is a sordid story in Catholic history. That Macy's has chosen to celebrate this ugly chapter is another matter altogether.

On the 7th Avenue side of the Macy's Herald Square store (between 34th and 35th Street), there is a large window display of manikins dressed as the pope, bishops, et al. In plain letters it says, "The Borgias: The Original Crime Family"; it advertises the season premiere, with the Showtime logo off to the side. To see a picture of it, click here.

On Tuesday, Catholic League vice president Bernadette Brady called one of Macy's media managers, Alyssa Bendetson, registering our concerns, as well as those of our members who contacted us; she was also sent a copy of our release from March 18 on the series. She pledged to get back to us with a response. It is now obvious that Macy's is taking this matter lightly.

The series was written by an atheist who hates the Catholic Church, Neil Jordan. Macy's knows this. We are approaching the heart of the Easter season, yet Macy's has decided that offending Catholics is worth the risk. We'll see.

Contact Bendetson's boss, VP Elina Kazan: elina.kazan@macys.com

[NYer]

Ping!

[Sacajaweau]

I’m Catholic. I really don’t have a problem. Tolerance...

[MEGoody]

Is this an April Fool’s joke? Why would Macy’s do something silly like this? What would dressing manequins as a Pope have to do with selling merchandise? Are they selling Pope outfits now?

[Fiji Hill]

John Borgia, an offensive guard for the BYU Cougars in the 1980’s, is part of the same Borgia family.

[Hegewisch Dupa]

I'm shocked he didn't make the pros - most defensive linemen are susceptible to poison.

[freekitty]

Doesn’t this and the Kennedys appear on the same night? Guess which one the libs want you to watch?

[Oztrich Boy]

This weekend, Showtime will begin airing a series, "The Borgias," a corrupt Spanish family, one of whose members became pope.

Two actually, but hey, accuracy shmacuracy

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Two actually, but hey, accuracy shmacuracy

Actually three--Callixtus III, Alexander VI, and Innocent X. Plus a saint, Francisco Borgia.

[MinuteGal]

"I'm Catholic . I really don't have a problem. Tolerance....."

I'm Missouri Synod Lutheran. I DO have a problem. Not a matter of "tolerance" at all.......Macy's can do what it wishes.

But I don't have to like it or be too lazy to talk against it.

The Macy display which not too subtly disparages a denomination of the Christian faith is a tiny but intergral part of the larger picture we all know about which attacks Christianity worldwide......a fact which smaller minds can't seem to comprehend beyond the length of their noses.

Would Macy's ever dress their mannequins in Iman apparel in a similar-type promotion?

Their windows would be broken in a New York minute.....and the New York Slimes would go berserk.

Where are the Defenders of the Faith (ANY Christian denomination) today?

Leni

[Rashputin]

How about next month the put the Prophet in their window beheading a bunch of people who have their hands bound behind them and look like the Arab press draws Jews? Maybe something like, “The original be-header” would make a good banner to go along with that.

[muir_redwoods]

Defending or trying to sweep the Borgias under the rug seems a silly way to defend the church. The Borgias are about as “Catholic” as Benedict Arnold was American. Technically true perhaps but hardly true in spirit or intent.

[NYer]

I am not defending the Borgias. I am disappointed in Macy’s iconoclastic attack on the Catholic Church.

[LastNorwegian]

The problem isn’t this series by itself. It’s the fact that Chistianity is only ever portrayed in a negative light. In pretty much any series or movie if Christianity is present it is only to be ridiculed and attacked. Making shows about the Borgias is all well and nice... -If we could also have shows about the many Christian saints or other people who have done great deeds inspired by their faith.

What we are witnessing is a constant attack on Christianity intended to reduce what little influence it now has left.

Such a stream of abuse would never be accepted if the characters belonged to any other faith. But when it comes to Christianity which has done more good for the world than any other religion or ideology we *only* see the few bad apples being held up as typical of the faith.

[the invisib1e hand]

I’m no expert, but didn’t the Borgia popes kinda set themselves ip for ignominy? Weren’t they like the low point in Church history? We’re gonna get offended because those not worthy of honor are treated dishonorably?

[SevenofNine]

I think about advertisment NYER that what I gather

Beside I am going watch that show on Showtime come from same dudes brought you other show The Tudors got be good

[dangus]

>> Defending or trying to sweep the Borgias under the rug seems a silly way to defend the church. The Borgias are about as “Catholic” as Benedict Arnold was American. Technically true perhaps but hardly true in spirit or intent. <<

Not a matter of doing either. You really believe that a teleplay written by an atheist agitator is going to delineate between legend and fact? Or circumscribe the guilty from the innocent? Of course not, it’ll perpetuate the legend thath the Borgias are typical popes!

[Boogieman]

Oh, give me a break. What, is the world supposed to go back and redact history or never refer to it again if it’s embarrassing to Catholics?

And I thought the Muslims were thin-skinned...

[muir_redwoods]

If you seriously believe anyone other than a diseased muslim would ever believe the Borgias are typical of popes, particularly modern popes, you need to rethink your basic premise

[topher]

Macy's also fired an employee for wishing someone Merry Christmas in lieu of Happy Holidays