The campaign to remove the sacrilege from the prominent museum echoed through the boulevard and museum square in Amsterdam.
Confrontation: Catholics protest against the Outrageous Sacrilege in the Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam (Netherlands) has exhibited a piece depicting clergy members in a sexual position since the 3rd of June. Young volunteers of TFP Student Action Europe protested in front of the museum, where visitors were clearly informed that a flagrant sacrilege was on exhibition. Almost 5 thousand flyers were distributed by volunteers in the warm sunshine.
Moral Boundary crossed
On the 'artwork', one can see a nun and three male clergy members. They are portrayed as about to engage in a sexual act with each other. In doing so, the Rijksmuseum crosses a moral boundary. This object goes against the spirit of cultural edification that one may expect from the Rijksmuseum, which has been called the "secular basilica of the Dutch nation."1
The Catholic activists were able to explain directly to passers-by what sacrilege is and encourage them to sign the petition to have it removed.
This Public Sacrilege must stop
The sacrilege that is now taking place here is a grotesque insult to God, the Catholic Church and the entire Dutch nation. We cannot tolerate this and it must be stopped. Other Catholics from Europe were informed and asked to get involved in this campaign.
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Last Tuesday and Wednesday, we held street campaign during the whole day at the Rijksmuseum. “I am surprised at how indifferent people react to this mockery of the Church” one volunteer from Germany said. And indeed, secular countries insult God one way or the other.
‘In Reparation for this Grave Public Sin’
In the summer, the Rijksmuseum welcomes many foreign visitors. These tourists were shocked to learn about the historical ‘contraceptive’ that’s exhibited in a parodic and religiously offensive context. The ridicule of God and His Church—sadly commonplace among the Dutch cultural elite—did not sit well with them. Several passersby thanked the volunteers of the street campaign for their courageous stand against blasphemy.
An American couple was attracted by the bagpipe songs and approached for a manifesto. When they found out the grave matter of this campaign, they explicitly stated their heartfelt gratitude for us opposing this grave sin. The man encouraged us to continue, promising that they will sign the petition and pray “in reparation for this grave public sin”. His wife added: “Our Lords Most Precious Blood paid for all sins, also for this one.”
Covered by National Media
The media quickly picked up on the protest. The regional broadcast of Amsterdam, AT5, was the first to report with a short article and video, quoting the volunteers about the blasphemous object: "Very crude and vulgar; this does not belong in the Rijksmuseum." Othernational media outlets soon followed, including PowNews, De Telegraaf, Het Parool, NPO3, De Dagelijkse Standaard, and Cvandaag.
"They stand for Faith, Family, and Tradition"
News website De Dagelijkse Standaard pointed out the hypocrisy of the Rijksmuseum: "Why is it apparently 'brave' to mock Christianity but completely unthinkable to display a cartoon of Mohammed in the same hall?"2 The protest "deserves praise," the news site said. "They stand for faith, family, and tradition."
“Every one therefore that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven”. Mt. 10:32
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Footnotes:
- Maarten Doorman - De navel van Daphne: Over kunst en engagement, 8 January 2016.
- Condoom met antikatholieke prent? En dat noemt het Rijksmuseum ‘historisch’? | DDS