Madrid, Spain, Feb 16, 2010 / 16:49 pm
The Laity Committee of the Diocese of Almeria, Spain issued a strong statement last weekend condemning the use of a crucifix by a local group during Carnival celebrations. The group chose to use the image of Christ on the cross to parody the economic crisis the country is experiencing.
The faithful of Almeria expressed “profound disgust and sorrow that some individuals had no qualms about using the image of Christ crucified to parody our social situation, thus gravely wounding the religious sentiments of Christians.”
The committee then criticized the local group for defending their actions by “appealing to freedom of expression, as if this right had no limits.”
“Freedom of expression ends when the fundamental rights of persons and social groups are attacked, which include the fundamental right to religious freedom. All basic rights must harmoniously refer to each other, as the only safe way to protect them. Just as not everything can be allowed, not everything is licit. The dignity of the human person demands such, and is protected by the Constitution and the legal system in our country.”