Madonna’s ‘Rebel Heart’ Outrages Catholic Bishop, Labelled ‘Highly Offensive’ To Christianity

Just days away from Madonna’s much-anticipated performance at the Vector Arena Auckland this Saturday and Sunday, New Zealand’s Bishop Patrick Dunn has slammed the performer for her “highly offensive” and provocative postures towards the Christianity. Dunn expressed his outrage with these remarks during an interview with the New Zealand Herald recently.

According to Dunn, conspicuous religious symbolism incorporated by the singer into her performances is deeply anti-religious and could spark indignation and anger among people with religious affiliation.

”There is no question in my mind that some of Madonna’s material is highly offensive to Christianity and will be found just as offensive to the majority of people of religious faith, as well as many cultural sensitivities. Here in New Zealand religion is not always taken very seriously, yet in addition to Christianity there are people of many other faiths, all together representing over half our population. In a multi-cultural and multi-faith society like New Zealand, it is imperative that entertainers not presume their own cultural perspective is that of the majority. Often it is not.”

Madonna’s international Rebel Heart Tour has continued to draw the ire of some Catholic leaders and attract harsh criticism. The 57-year-old star is said to have had a history of incorporating Catholic symbols into her campaigns, often prompting church leaders to lash out at her alleged apathy toward mainstream religious sentiment. According to the New Zealand Herald, Madonna’s stage at the Vector Arena is designed in the shape of a crucifix with her Rebel Heart tour logo flashing at the end of it.

In 2006, Catholic leaders throughout the world condemned the singer’s performance in which she was seen emerging from a glistening cross donning a crown of thorns during a performance in Rome. And this wasn’t the only time Madonna may have offended the Catholic church. She was forcefully censured by the Vatican during her 1989 video release for “Like a Prayer.” In her interview with Rolling Stone last year, she asserted the Church leaders can in fact view her performances in a different light and enjoy them.

“It’s good to look out into the big, wide world and see that we have changed, and at the end of the day the message of Jesus is to love your neighbour as yourself, and so that means not judging. And to do that, you have to be more open-minded and accepting of people who have lifestyles that you perceive as unconventional.”

Earlier in February, an archbishop in Singapore had expressed concern prior to the star’s scheduled concert in the country urging Church followers to exercise their “moral” responsibility and not to embolden “anti-Christian values.” Subsequently, Catholic bishops in the Philippines had labelled her on-stage attires as “vulgar” and vehemently encouraged Catholics to desist from attending her performances. However, reactions to Madonna’s first concert in Singapore after the star had to contend with a somewhat altered opening segment of her tour were undoubtedly mixed. Many extolled her while some expressed mixed reactions.

Raised Roman Catholic, Madonna now subscribes to a popular strand of Judaism called Kabbalah. However, she occasionally continues to draw condemnation from Jewish rabbis for some of her religious-themed performances.

Madonna has been an avid advocate for the Democratic Party and espouses liberal thought. She came out vociferously in support of Barack Obama during his 2008 campaign and has actively advocated gay rights since her rise to stardom. Her father had lived as a political activist who labored for worker’s rights and Madonna has ostensibly inherited his Democratic liberal position.

Madonna plays Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on March 12 and 13, Brisbane’s Entertainment Centre on March 16 and 17, and Sydney’s Allphones Arena on March 19 and 20.

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