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Gardai Investigate Cork University Over Blasphemous Image of Our Lady as Bishop Speaks Out in defence of Mary.

Posted in Blasphemy Law by admin on June 23, 2011
“Respect for Mary, the Mother of God, is bred in the bones of Irish people and entwined in their lives”

Bishop Buckley

The Chief Superintendent of the Gardai in Cork has confirmed to the ACLI that there is an ongoing investigation into allegations that a proposed art exhibition at University College Cork will contain a blasphemous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and that a book will be promoted which also contains blasphemous matter. The artist will also give a talk which is likely to contravene the law given it will be about her work and book.

Under the Defamation Act 2009 section 36 (2) “publication or utterence of blasphemous matter” is a criminal offence. Numerous complaints have been made to the police following the announcement by UCC that a controversial lesbian artist, Lopez, has been invited to display her work and her book.

Bishop Buckley has spoken out in protest at the proposed exhibition saying:

“Respect for Mary, the Mother of God, is bred in the bones of Irish people and entwined in their lives. Irish Poets and culture held Mary in the highest esteem. It is regretable and unacceptable that this exhibition seeks to portray the Mother of God in such an offensive way.”

This exhibition was closed down in Santa Fe due to public outrage. Catholics are aware of the gravity of blasphemies against Our Lady, which, as Our Lord revealed to Sister Lucy, fall into five kinds:

There are five types of offences and blasphemies committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary :

1 – Blasphemies against the Immaculate Conception;

2 – Blasphemies against Her Virginity;

3 – Blasphemies against Her Divine Maternity, in refusing at the same time to recognise Her as the Mother of men;

4 – The blasphemies of those who publicly seek to sow in the hearts of children, indifference or scorn or even hatred of this Immaculate Mother;

5 – The offences of those who outrage Her directly in Her holy images. Here, my daughter, is the reason why the Immaculate Heart of Mary inspired Me to ask for this little act of reparation . . (May 29,1930)

Lopez also promotes a blasphemous book entitled, “Our Lady of Controversy .”Irreverent” Apparitions”, making her intentions clear.

The ACLI is awaiting the decision of the Garda regarding pursuing the University and the artist in question for breaching the blasphemy laws. Given the outrage caused, evidenced by the number of complaints and protests made, and the intention of the artist and the University in promoting this work, it is unlikely that the exhibition will go ahead.

On the other hand it will make an ideal case for a prosecution, private or public, if it does.