A Spanish artist has stolen more than 240 consecrated Hosts, using them to form the Spanish word for ‘pederasty’ for an artwork on display at a public art gallery in Pamplona.
Catholics are already sharing their dismay and prayers online for the soul of the Spanish artist Abel Azcona who stole the Hosts by pretending to receive Holy Communion at Mass.
The exhibit, entitled ‘Buried’, is made up of photos of Azcona stealing the Hosts and laying them out on the ground to form ‘pederasty’, which refers to a sexual relationship – of its nature, predatory – between an adult man and an adolescent male.
Originally the Hosts were part of the display but were removed by a private citizen.
Local Catholics have expressed their outrage that the display was allowed to be exhibited, with the Christian Lawyers Association (CLA) telling CNA that they were surprised a public council would collaborate in something that contravenes Spanish law.
(The Spanish penal code contains “an offense against religious sentiments and desecration”.)
CLA have filed a suit insisting that the display be removed.
Polonia Catellanos, spokesperson for the Christian Lawyers Association, told CNA:
“I don’t know why a city council, no matter of what political stripe, would allow something which is clearly a crime,” Castellanos said.
“In principle, public authorities such as the city council should be ensuring that crimes like these are not committed, not help commit them. The penal code is for everyone and if they don’t pull the exhibit before Thursday they’re going to have to answer for it.”
Catholics from all over the world have exhibited a strong reaction to the news, with many expressing concern for the artist over his sacrilegious actions.
“Let’s all pray for the conversion of this soul, who is in grave peril, and for the conversion of those who allowed such hideous desecration,” one commenter said.