Artists join Church protest

Members of the Arts Association of Bacolod joined the indignation rally led by the Catholic church yesterday and stressed that the friction resulting from the exhibit of Mideo Cruz at the Cultural Center of the Philippines is not representative of the dynamics of co-existence between artists and other sectors of the community.

In a statement, read by AAB president Sonny Golez during the rally in front of the San Sebastian Cathedral, the AAB said their stand on the issue is to offer caution in promoting the notoriety of one form of expression, because, in the long run, it might be counter-productive to their vision.

Although the notion of freedom, expression, respect, aesthetics and culture can be subjective, it is best to be responsible, the AAB statement said.

Acknowledging the Bacolod and Negros artists for their show of support to the church-led indignation rally, Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra asked the artists to pool their talents, skills and efforts to produce exhibits that, he said, “attracts not only what is noble, but works that challenge the viewing public to rise up from the smut and dirt created by those who demean your profession.”

The bishop also appealed to the artists to exercise their nobility of spirit as Christians, sense of decency and propriety in the conduct of their profession.

“You hold in your hands, you possess in your persons a special gift that if used properly and accordingly, can give glory to God who created you and endowed you with that special gift,” Navarra said.

He added that the demonstration of disgust and anger over Mideo Cruz’s exhibit is not only because public sensibilities were offended but because “God has been offended and his sacred name has been maligned.”

“We cannot keep our mouth shut, we can not simply ignore the outrageous audacity committed against God. We have to speak out and show external manifestation that God’s rights have to be defended and vindicated,” Navarra said.

  Meanwhile, San Sebastian Cathedral rector Fr. Felix Pasquin said the indignation rally joined by about 1,000 people was held to help shape the conscience of the public on what is right or wrong.

Although Mideo Cruz’s exhibit has already been closed to the public, Pasquin said the damage has been done and the issue will linger in public opinion.

The rally joined by the local artists, students, lay organizations, renewal groups, and members of the clergy, started with the praying of the holy rosary around the Bacolod City Public Plaza followed by the program in front of the Cathedral.

Navarra led the setting of fire to the effigy of a devil that carries on his trident the words sacrilege, blasphemy, RH Bill, abortion, lust, corruption and greed.*NAB