CARPI, Italy (LifeSiteNews) — A scandal-plagued diocese in Italy is hosting a drag show directly after Mass as part of celebrations for St. Aloysius Gonzaga.
On August 31 a drag show performance is scheduled to take place as part of an event organized by the local Catholic parish and with the approval of the diocese.
At 5 p.m. on Sunday afternoon Bishop Erio Castellucci, who leads both the Archdiocese of Modena-Nonantola and the Diocese of Carpi, will celebrate Mass in the Multiverse Park at Rovereto sulla Secchia.
Then, at 6:30 p.m., a drag show performance will take place alongside other acts, including bike displays and food stalls.
Details of the event – highlighted by traditionalist Catholic blog Messa in Latino (MIL) – were initially listed and promoted on the diocesan website. Following MIL’s initial report the diocese removed the listing of the drag show from its site.
In its play is listed “evening show ‘extras’” on the website.
However, an Instagram post promoting the weekend’s festivities still clearly shows the drag performance as part of the Sunday evening line-up.
The annual festival is orchestrated by the local Catholic parish and, as such, has oversight from the diocese. Diocesan involvement is clear from the level of input Castellucci has, not only in offering Mass but also in leading a procession during the event.
Outrage at the drag show has prompted a Catholic political party, Popolo della Famiglia, to protest with the Diocese of Carpi directly.
“The faithful are disoriented and we hope that it is just a mistake or an underestimation, but one thing is certain: this show must be canceled now,” said spokesman Mirko De Carli.
The drag show is “an offensive choice for the faithful and which has nothing to do with the spiritual dimension of the evening, especially given the presence of His Excellency,” De Carli added.
The diocese has not yet replied to LifeSiteNews’ request for comment, and the local parish blocked the phone number of Catholic outlet La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana (NBQ) when they rang for comment.
However, the diocese did state to local media on August 20 that it had not been “informed about the programming of the Drag Queen show,” despite details of the show appearing on the diocesan website.
Commenting on the show, MIL wrote that it is “a decision that sounds like a direct provocation and a profound offense not only to the figure of San Luigi Gonzaga, but to the entire Catholic community.”
Such an event, wrote MIL, is “an obvious contradiction with the values of the Church.” “All this on the occasion of the patronal feast of San Luigi Gonzaga, protector of chastity,” the editors added.
‘Blasphemous’ exhibition
The Diocese of Carpi is no stranger to controversy.
In the spring of last year, the diocese hosted an exhibition of around 20 images by artist Andrea Saltini, entitled “Gratia plena.” Running from March 2 through June 2 in the museum church of Sant’Ignazio a Carpi, the exhibition reportedly caused controversy within just “minutes” of opening to the public.
One image of Christ was entitled “Ascension,” and depicted Christ in a clingy, sparkling green jumpsuit, split open at the front. He wore brightly colored motorcycle boots and held a motorbike helmet.
The “Noli me tangere” image, instead of portraying the Scriptural encounter between the Risen Christ and Mary Magdalene, showed Magdalene sitting in her underwear, while a dead man is bent over in her lap, wearing a loincloth.
Saltini’s artistic treatment of the Virgin Mary – presented in a series of images called “Gratia plena” which give their name to the entire exhibition – featured three images of Mary wearing armor, which Pharisees – wearing clothing akin to diving frog-suits – undress her.
According to the account provided by the explanatory booklet quoted by La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana: “The painting depicts the Virgin being undressed by the Pharisees who want to investigate her virginal conception, but in reality she is dressing in armor.” The images portray the woman, meant to be Mary, in gradual stages of undress down to her underwear.
Having visited the images in person, NBQ repeatedly described them as “blasphemous,” highlighting the obvious intended “sensuality” of the images.
Castellucci – who is first of three vice presidents of the Italian bishops’ conference and was tipped to become the next president of the body in May 2022 – strongly defended the exhibition in the wake of the “thousands of readers” who expressed their consternation.
So controversial was the incident that it became the subject of a legal case, with Castellucci, the parish priest, and the artist all being charged with contempt for religion in a place of worship.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin even attempted to intervene, but the case was ultimately dismissed after the bishop’s lawyer argued that Christ is just “a metaphysical figure” and, as such, cannot be considered a minister of the Church and an injured party in the trial.
The judge ruled that the artwork was too ambiguous to be able to lead to a clear judgement on whether offense against religion was intended, and also that the the consecrated church in which the exhibition was situated is a “de facto civil space” due to no longer being used for liturgical celebrations.
