Stormtrooper crucifix removed after parishioner complaints

Mar 18, 2018 by

By George Conger, Anglican Ink.

A a life-sized Star Wars Imperial Stormtrooper hanging from a cross in a City of London parish has been removed from a “Stations of the Cross” exhibit after complaints were made by parishioners and set up in a less conspicuous place, the Diocese of London reports…

…the life-sized Stormtrooper crucifix made by Ryan Callahan, a street artist whose professional name is RYCA, prompted complaints of blasphemy and bad taste from parishioners. The day before the public exhibition, the church removed the Stormtrooper crucifix and hung it in another part of the church.

In a statement to the media a spokesman for the Diocese of London said: “St Stephen Walbrook is pleased to be hosting Art Below’s exhibition on the Stations of the Cross. One work of art in particular, a depiction of a crucified Star Wars Stormtrooper by Ryan Callanan, was larger and more prominent than was anticipated when the exhibition was approved. Its position in the church as currently installed has proved to be distracting for some worshippers. As a result, following discussions with the curator, we have asked Art Below to reposition the work, so that it remains prominent but it is less of a distraction from the altar.”

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