Statement by His Apostolic Highness the Most Holy Radislav I of Rome-Ruthenia on recent profane depictions of Our Lord Jesus Christ:
We are gravely saddened to learn of a recent video, reportedly disseminated by authorities in Iran, in which the Divine Person of Our Lord Jesus Christ is portrayed in a manner gravely offensive to His sacred dignity.
In this representation, the Redeemer is depicted within a profane and violent scene, unworthy of Him who is meek and humble of heart, and who shall come again not in spectacle, but in justice and majesty.
Such misuse of the sacred image constitutes an offense against religion itself, and cannot be justified under the pretext of political expression or national rivalry.
At the same time, We must recall that the Holy Name and image of Our Lord are never to be employed lightly, irreverently, or as instruments of mere political display by any party whatsoever. For Christ the King is not to be enlisted in the contests of men, nor reduced to a figure of worldly contention, but adored in spirit and in truth.
We therefore condemn all such profanations, from whatever source they may arise, and call upon all men to restore due reverence to the sacred, lest the sense of the divine be further obscured among the nations.
