Palace refuses to comment on 'blasphemous' CCP art exhibit

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang is taking a safe distance from the controversy that arose from an art exhibit at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) that Catholic bishops found to be blasphemous, as it desecrated figures of Jesus Christ, among other things.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the CCP board has its own independence, and that the Palace or President Aquino does not want to be dragged into the issue, particularly because the Office of the President was not consulted on it.

“At this point, we refuse to comment on this issue precisely because the Palace was never consulted by CCP, which was acting through its own board, who decided to put on the exhibit,” she told state-run radio dzRB.

“We see no reason why we should comment. We were never consulted by the CCP board. This is the work of an artist, may independence ang CCP board,” Valte said, adding that “any violent reaction should be addressed to the CCP, (and) not the President.”  

Valte refused to say whether the art exhibit itself was sacrilegious or blasphemous.

“I think the public will have their own opinion (because our country is) predominantly Christian Catholic,” she said, adding that the exhibit has offended not only bishops but also ordinary Catholics. 

“And, from what we understand, there’s an ongoing dialogue,” she said.

The exhibit featured works by mixed media artist Mideo Cruz, including photographs of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary adorned with objects not related to Christianity, and part of the installation even showed a crucifix with a condom.

Retired Lingayen-Dagupan archbishop Oscar Cruz called the exhibit a “desecration” and advised those responsible for it to see a psychiatrist.

Both Cruz and Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iniguez said they are convinced that this latest affront against the Catholic Church had something to do with their opposition against the Reproductive Health (RH) bill and same-sex marriage.

“That’s possible,” said Iniguez. “These people should respect the religion of others,” he said.