chris@mcdonnell83.freeserve.co.uk           Previous articles by Chris

   November 14, 2012                              Chris McDonnell, UK   

Poor art, poor theology  

My two eldest grandchildren (I am blessed to have eight) are to be confirmed this weekend. So as caring Grandparents we visited a big Catholic Bookshop outlet to buy them each a pressie and a card.  

Now this is the nub of this posting. Why is it that we offer people, young and old, religious art that is not only bad art but also bad theology, dripping with silver and gold lettering and wonder just what is the appeal? What was the message of faith that these images offered to the recipient?  

Many years ago, early in my teaching in schools, I bought a statue of Our Lady and the Child Jesus for our classroom. The Image of Mary was that of a young girl, with long hair and a green dress, holding a child in her arms. It caused quite a stir, for the teenagers in my class had only experienced the white and blue, hands joined, holding a Rosary depiction of the Mother of the Lord. Now this new representation arrived! The discussion that ensued was lively for it made them think and question and that surely is the essence of good education, be it secular or religious: thinking, asking questions and then thinking again. I have another Grandson who is good at that, starting any conversation with  “Grandad, I have a question”  

Teaching the Gospel is achieved through the lived example of each Christian person, through the word of Scripture and through the Liturgy we celebrate together. We have a responsibility to ensure that our all strands of our Christian witness are of the highest possible order, intelligible and sound. That of course is the sadness of our short experience of the New Translation. It clunks.  

I am sure I speak on behalf of many when I offer Fr. John our good wishes and prayers for the stand he has taken over using the New Missal. His situation is a perfect example where local circumstances demand a local solution. His Chinese-speaking community are fortunate to have a reflective priest who is clear about his priorities, his people.      

Returning to my card search. Does this afternoon’s dire shopping time have resonance elsewhere or is it just my limited experience?

Liturgical art, in all its forms, should help rather than hinder and inspire rather than depress. That is why iconographers are celebrated for their writing of an icon is both artistically beautiful and spiritually uplifting. Art has the essential function of offering us a way towards the living God. So often it does just the opposite and is a complete turn-off.  

A pity, but there it is.