The Jesuits in charge of America have done it again, this time missing this:
The apparent prank by a London-based artist offered what he called the “Extra Virgin” statue for sale, “a stunning … statue of the Virgin Mary standing atop a serpent wearing a delicate veil of latex.”
A color photograph showed a statue of magenta-robed Mary, who according to Christian teaching was a virgin when she gave birth to Jesus, covered with a translucent but visible condom.
Now, how did the Jesuits at America respond?
“We’re Jesuits,” Martin said. “I don’t think you could have found anyone in the editors’ room who has seen a condom.” The mention of a “veil of latex” failed to register, he said.
Anyone buy that? The most progressive Catholic magazine in the United States who actively participates in debates concerning whether Catholics should use contraceptives — and no one on the advertising department, the editorial staff, or folks on the print floor said “hey wait a second… that’s a condom!”
Of course, all this has done is heaped more shame upon the Catholic Church in America from around the world.
America magazine was in hot water in May, when its previous editor, Rev. Thomas Reese, quit under Vatican pressure after printing articles examining issues such as gay priests, Vatican secrecy or the use of condoms to prevent AIDS.
The Catholic Church opposes all forms of contraception, which means it does not approve condoms even if used to help prevent the spread of AIDS. At the same time, the Church runs many hospitals and clinics to help AIDS victims.
Anyone familiar with America knows that topics such as contraception and homosexuality have been primary topics of debate in their pages. To the liberals and progressives on staff at America to shuffle-step and argue ignorance is playing faithful Catholics for fools – which was precisely the point after all.
Disgusting. One more reason the progressives are dying off, and the faithful, more traditional Catholics are flourishing.