21 oct
|
By Kara Jensen-Mackinnon The Vatican publication, L'Osservatore Romano declared in an article this week that Homer J. Simpson is a character that conforms to Catholic values, and praised "The Simpsons" for covering issues of faith, family and religion.
The article stated, and I translate, "few people know it, and he does everything to hide it, but it is true, Homer J. Simpson is a Catholic".
Like the vast majority of my generation, I've grown up watching the Simpsons and laughing at the satirical representation of the middle American male that is Homer. I just wonder that in approving Mr. Simpson does the Catholic church also condone the abuse of children, alcoholism, bigamy, extramarital affairs, blasphemy and the failure to love thy neighbour?
Or are these negative traits overlooked?
Perhaps this is the Catholic church's underhanded way to demonstrate that they are not a pack of cultural philistines. I just feel they should think a little more carefully about the pop icons they select as representatives - I always knew those at the helm of the church were largely aloof and dim-witted, but I thought it would be decades before they admitted to turning a blind eye to child abuse.
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