Controversy over billboard depicting Virgin Mary

Controversy was sparked in New Zealand over a depiction of the Virgin Mary and spouse St. Joseph that was sponsored by a local Anglican parish. In Auckland, the billboard sponsored by the parish depicted St. Joseph appearing disheartened with what some media said was a “disappointed” Virgin Mary lying in bed together.

The caption provided said “Poor Joseph, God is a hard act to follow.” Within hours of the billboard’s appearance, it was vandalized and then torn down. When it re-emerged, a knife-wielding elderly woman offended by the image had to be physically restrained on December 18 by homeless onlookers concerned that she would damage it again.

The Anglican St. Matthew’s-in-the-City commissioned the global advertising firm M & C Saatchi to develop the billboard so as to provoke comment and to challenge Christians’ views as to the conception of Jesus Christ and to spark conversation about Christmas.

Said Archdeacon Mr. Glynn Cardy, vicar of St. Matthew’s, "I regret to say that tonight our billboard was attacked by a knife wielding Christian fanatic who was then apprehended by a group of homeless people who care about our church. Later in the evening another group of fanatics ripped it down.

"When knives are wielded in the name of God I have two responses. One is to act to ensure the safety of the public and parishioners. We will therefore not be replacing the vandalized billboard with an identical one.

"My second response is one of deep sadness at those in the Christian Church who don’t want to offend any faith position, even the most literalistic view of a male god. By having unity as their priority they inadvertently feed fanaticism.”

Anglican Bishop of Auckland, Rt. Rev. John Paterson, differed, saying that he was "disappointed" that St Matthew's chose to display the billboard since there are many other issues to address in the church. "Discussion of theological perspectives and diversity is encouraged in a respectful way, but this approach is insensitive to communities across the Anglican Church as well as other denominations."

The billboard has attracted worldwide attention and St. Matthews’ website is gaining visitors as well. The offending billboard will apparently not go up again since the parish has declined to deploy security to protect it.

Vicar Cardy took lightly of criticisms, saying that he does not doubt that some people have been offended by the billboard, but "the literalness of a male God impregnating Mary needs to be laughed at". Added Cardy, "people can laugh at my perspective too". As for criticism from his bishop, Cardy said "The Bishop has an opinion that is obviously different from ours."

Criticism of Cardy’s billboard was ecumenical. National director Bob McCoske, national director of the Family First group, said any debate about the Virgin birth should be confined to inside the church. "To confront children and families with the concept as a street billboard is completely irresponsible and unnecessary," he said. Lyndsay Freer, a spokeswoman for Auckland Catholic Diocese, said that the image of Joseph and Mary in bed together was inappropriate, disrespectful and offensive to Christians. It could be used, she said, "by an anti-Christian group to poke fun at the divinity of Christ."

St. Matthews in the City website