Religious leaders in Rome blast pop singer’s ‘crucifixion’

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Comments: 4

Rome, Italy, Aug 4, 2006 / 12:00 am (CNA).- In an uncommon show of solidarity, Rome's Catholic, Muslim, and Jewish leaders have collectively condemned pop star Madonna's decision to stage a mock-crucifixion during her concert in the Italian capital on Sunday, the AP has reported.

The 47-year-old singer was criticized during the American leg of her worldwide “Confessions Tour” for a sequence in which she wears a fake crown of thorns and descends on a suspended, glittery cross.

But priests in Rome have gone one step further, calling it blasphemy.

“This concert is a blasphemous challenge to the faith and a profanation of the cross. She should be excommunicated," said Cardinal Ersilio Tonini of the lapsed Catholic pop star.

"Being raised on a cross with a crown of thorns like a modern Christ is absurd,” said Fr. Manfredo Leone. "It is disrespectful, in bad taste and provocative."

"I think her idea is in the worst taste and she'd do better to go home," said Mario Scialoja, head of Italy's Muslim League.

Riccardo Pacifici, spokesman and vice president of the Roman Jewish community, said Madonna should have pulled the routine considering that she is performing at a stadium, located only one mile away from the Vatican.

Comments: 4

Subscriber comments:

Published by: G. De Feo
Brooklyn, NY, USA 11/05/2006 05:31 PM EST

Did you know that in the theatre where David Wilkerson's Time Square Church is located in New York City that an actor there had once done the same as her for a production? Guess what--he later repented and became an evangelical preacher; so, I guess there's hope for Madonna.

I confess that I too have said many terrible things against the Lord and Our Lady, who I know both love me. From experience, I confess that I had felt so frustrated at times with my walk with the Lord that that is what ensued. I am thankful that God is so merciful to me and that Mary never leaves me--ever! I am always apologizing to them as I pick up the pieces and go on. After all, what Peter said is still true: who else shall I go to; He alone has the words of eternal life.

Published by: Gail Krebs
Amherst, MA 08/06/2006 01:59 PM EST

Nothing about this woman should surprise us. She acts as she does to get our attention by shock treatments. Her very name is disrespectful, however, final judgment of her values, intent and the state of her soul, is up to the Lord. I am shocked she calls herself Catholic or that there is a need to excommunicate her. I was under the impression she had no particular faith. All the publicity she is getting because of her act, is very pleasing to her as she must do something to revitalize her sagging career. She is not finished yet and will keep up her disrespect of faith values as long as she gets the publicity she seeks. Best thing to do about her is ignore her and by all means stay away from any of her performances, anti-religious or otherwise.Since she continues to act as she does, she is more to be pitied and thought of as one sho really represents the very type of person Christ came to save. "I came to heal the sick, not the righteous."

Published by: Allan G.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada 08/04/2006 10:26 PM EST

Secular music has gone to hell, and I agree, Madonna appears to be committing a mortal sin. But let us conform with the Church and say we can't judge the state of her soul, only her actions.

Also we can rest assured that Madonna is excommunicated by embracing another faith apart from Christ's. That whole Kabala nonsense. The way the modern trend is going I doubt we'll see a sententiae latatae (sp?) on her.

If anyone needs the sententiae it's John Kerry and Ted Kennedy for public scandal as leaders of America. "Right to murder" heresy all the way boys... Not only do I recognize them as outside the Church, it's the Church's duty to point it out to them.

Published by: Charles Wadlow
Kirkland, WA 08/04/2006 11:44 AM EST

I saw her concert in Las Vegas, and was appalled when she climbed on the Cross with the thorns on her head. I was absolutely shocked! She does some pretty off the cuff stuff, but this was it for me.

She has no decency at all and her soul is in mortal sin. It is so hard to like anyone's music in the secular world anymore, because in the end many of them serve the Devil by the way they lead their life and promote bad things. I will not spend one more cent on this garbage.

The Church should excommunicate her and while they are at it how about John Kerry and Ted Kennedy too who support killing babies through abortion!

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