Sale of prayer candles of ‘saint’ President Obama sparks controversy

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Comments: 20

The candles being sold with President Obama superimposed over St. Martin

San Francisco, Calif., Feb 18, 2009 / 01:29 am (CNA).- A Catholic priest in the San Francisco area has objected to a novelty shop’s sale of a prayer candle with President Barack Obama’s picture on it.

Fr. Tony La Torre of St. Philip the Apostle Church in Noe Valley has called for a boycott of the Just For Fun card and novelty shop, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The $15 candles show the president’s haloed head pasted over the body of St. Martin de Porres, the Peruvian-born friar who is one of the first black saints in the Americas. On the candle, the saint is holding a crucifix.

Fr. La Torre said the candle “mocks Jesus” and “depicts our beloved saints in a not so saintly way.”

"I am appalled that in such a family-oriented neighborhood, any retailer would be so bigoted and so hateful (as) to carry such merchandise just to 'make a buck,'” the priest wrote in the parish newsletter, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Robert Ramsey and David Eiland, the store’s owners, said they have sold more than 700 candles since the Christmas holiday.

"This is just fun stuff," Ramsey said.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the owners posted a copy of the priest’s newsletter in the store window right next to an Obama candle.

The controversy had reportedly sparked demand, with Ramsey saying he had another 72 candles on order.

Comments: 20

Subscriber comments:

Published by: hopless
LA 06/17/2010 02:30 PM EST

WHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO!!!!????

Published by: Kurt Kuhn
New York, NY 10/01/2009 02:37 PM EST

I see that no one has a problem with making fun of the Catholic Religion. I bet if it was Obama's face superimposed over Allah on the Candle, every media outlet in the world would be boycotting this store and condemning this act of blasphemy.

Published by: John
Modesto, CA 06/13/2009 12:28 PM EST

I am confident that both Jesus and St. Martin were more fun-loving than some of their followers. H.L. Mencken described this mindset very well: "Puritanism - the haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy."

Published by: Diego Mamani
Los Angeles, CA 04/04/2009 09:14 PM EST

There's nothing disrecpectful in the candles. I think they're funny, and the priest who's complaining needs to develop a sense of humor, get a life, devote his time to more worthy activities, and stop using this issue as an excuse to promote himself.

Published by: Jonathon Baker
Sesser, Illinois 03/30/2009 07:53 PM EST

Does anyone know where I could purchase these candles? I have an altar to the one in my living room and would like to add this too it. If you know and could tell me I would appreciate it. Thank you.

Published by: David C. Wood
San Francisco 03/07/2009 04:01 PM EST

How sanctimonious! Father Le Torre should look into the gambling at his church Bingo and make sure all the little boys are safe from his priests rather than bemoaning something so insignificant.

Published by: Dan
Brooklyn, NY 03/03/2009 09:54 AM EST

Fantastic! He's already done more for humanity than any pope. I mean they made Mother Teresa a Saint and she was against divorce for battered women. No one deserves this more than Obama. How do I order?

Published by: Ralph
Carrollton Texas 75006 02/23/2009 10:54 AM EST

not only are the store owners at fault be the lost souls buying these candles

Published by: giselle
san mateo/peruvian 02/20/2009 11:30 PM EST

As a Peruvian Catholic This is not a funny thing. I hope this store cancel this .Ans as Jesus saud PLease GOd forgive them they don't know what they doing.
God bless you!

Published by: Carol Stitt
Ingleside IL 02/19/2009 07:52 PM EST

How sad!! BUT doesn't surprise me!! Let us pray for President Obama LOTS...WE NEED HIS CONVERSION....to that of "SAINT" in mentality/beliefs/morals/understandings/mindset. Let us PRAY!!

Published by: Sharee
IL 02/19/2009 01:14 AM EST

I'm disgusted, but, unfortunately not surprised . . .

Published by: Francis Xavier T
Washington, D.C. 02/18/2009 04:30 PM EST

Watch out! This shop will be selling Saint Satan candles very soon. Folks, we are living in a very special time.

Published by: Raymond Peringer
Toronto, Canada 02/18/2009 04:18 PM EST

No one will ever accuse these two charlatans of good taste. There will always be money-grubbing nobodies on the intellectual fringe looking for a fast dollar. Just ignore them.

Published by: Julie Axe
San Mateo, CA/USA 02/18/2009 03:35 PM EST

I wonder what the candle will look like for Nancy Pelosi. I know I need to pray for her soul, but everytime she opens her mouth I feel a migraine coming on.

Published by: Jack
NY 02/18/2009 01:57 PM EST

The message for all of those who are smart, can see that it has already begun with people sadly deifying him already and almost hailing him as a savior. I knew that it come to this.

Published by: greenmoira
maple hill, ks 02/18/2009 11:09 AM EST

St Obama?! The man may be the US President but he isn't Catholic and moreover, has pursued and encouraged attitudes and activities that are openly contrary to Catholic teachings! What an affront to the real Saints that have been proved to put Our Lord Jesus Christ first in every aspect of their lives. Sometimes to the extent of losing their lives in order to be faithful. St Obama - I don't think so!

Published by: Pete Pumphrey
Butler PA 02/18/2009 10:49 AM EST

How do I order ? Lighten up Fr La Torre.

Published by: Bob Lamond
Farifax, VA 02/18/2009 08:02 AM EST

While I seriously doubt I will ever travel to San Francisco for business or pleasure I will be sure to never set foot in this shop if by some chance I do end up in that city.

Published by: Rose
IL 02/18/2009 02:18 AM EST

Over $5,000 of filthy lucre so far... maybe St. Martin de Porres will soon give them each a visit in their dreams with a conversion message; sounds like they could use the invitation.

Published by: Pierre
Los Angeles, CA, USA 02/18/2009 02:02 AM EST

Is there no such thing as sanctity anymore? I think people are more concerned about making money than saving their souls. By the way OBAMA just released funding for abortion to developing countries and this CONTRADICTS THE SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE...

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