Pope Benedict XVI spoke out against condoms. According to him (possibly his faith), the use of condoms was/is considered immoral. After having traveled to a certain part of Africa where AIDS is rampant, the lovely pope changed his mind and stated that condoms might be useful to halt the spread of STDs.
He received both positive and negative criticism.
AIDS activists were happy he spoke positively about the use of condoms.
Catholicism was rapidly expanding in parts of Africa and a positive message from their Catholic leader (the pope) about condoms would hopefully urge its followers to use them more.
Some conservative Catholics feared that this pass/allowance of condom usage in Africa would condone its overall use everywhere else.
Ever since his original comments, some Catholics saw it as the green light to use condoms guilt free while others (usually more conservative) insisted that the exception was solely for certain situations like the spread of AIDS and other STDs.
Regardless where the pope stood on the issue, the majority of his followers still used condoms. And those that didn't use condoms did so because it reduced their pleasure, not because they found it immoral.
An artist, Niki Johnson, decided to bring up this conversation once more.
She created a portrait of the pope out of (take a big guess...) CONDOMS!
Niki used over 17,000 condoms to immortalize the pope's likeness.
The piece is featured at the Milwaukee Art Museum and caused massive outrage in the Catholic community. Several patrons stopped donating/supporting the museum. Some members revoked their membership/alliance with the museum. One long-time tour worker of the museum left. Just overall, lots of fiery Catholic anger toward the museum.
Niki explains that her point was to bring up the condom/AIDS topic once more, not to offend the Catholic community.
What do you think?
Did she go too far?
Or are you astonished at the preventing powers of condoms immortalized in the pope's likeness?
-------
The museum stands by the piece and refuses to remove it.
They like her message and believe that controversy sparks interest in issues.
Personally, I got her message loud and clear.
I think it's ridiculous in this day and age to call condoms 'immoral', but immortalizing the pope in condoms was a little 'extra'.
Most Helpful Girl