AK Native Artwork in Cathedral...OK?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Isidore_AK
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
I

Isidore_AK

Guest
Hi all…I’m not sure if this is the right place to post this…but…

Here’s my question…The Holy Family Cathedral has started decorating in an Alaska Native theme recently, and I don’t know if this is something that should be opposed…

There are raven feathers and native drums hanging from a cross on one wall , a ‘totem pole’ crucifex (I think it’s supposed to be the crucifix, but its a heavily stylized totem pole with what looks like a dog or bear as the crucified Christ) hanging on the wall behind the alter (Its a tapestry/wall hanging, not a carved pole), and a raven wallhanging over the door to the confessional.

I need to go in and take some photos to post here…the wallhangings are kind of hard to describe unless you are familiar with Alaska native artwork.

My problem is that all of these are either symbols, ‘gods/spirits’, or used in the native pagan traditions. I’m sure that the Archbishop is trying to reach out to the natives, but I just don’t know if this is appropriate. HELP!!! :eek:

Just for background…my step-mother is AK Native. I have an uncle who is Tlinget ‘Shaman’, and my step siblings are very into native spirituality…This makes me VERY uncomfortable to see it in our local Cathedral…
 
Well, I am not sure how to answer this. I will remind you that the Pope once allowed bare breasted women wearing grass skirts to read the epistle at a Papal mass in New Guinea Must have been a cultural thing.
 
40.png
Isidore_AK:
. . .and a raven wallhanging over the door to the confessional.
. . …
Click to expand...
Code: 
I would keep expecting the raven to croak "NEVERMORE".
😃
 
40.png
Isidore_AK:
Hi all…I’m not sure if this is the right place to post this…but…

Here’s my question…The Holy Family Cathedral has started decorating in an Alaska Native theme recently, and I don’t know if this is something that should be opposed…

There are raven feathers and native drums hanging from a cross on one wall , a ‘totem pole’ crucifex (I think it’s supposed to be the crucifix, but its a heavily stylized totem pole with what looks like a dog or bear as the crucified Christ) hanging on the wall behind the alter (Its a tapestry/wall hanging, not a carved pole), and a raven wallhanging over the door to the confessional.

I need to go in and take some photos to post here…the wallhangings are kind of hard to describe unless you are familiar with Alaska native artwork.

My problem is that all of these are either symbols, ‘gods/spirits’, or used in the native pagan traditions. I’m sure that the Archbishop is trying to reach out to the natives, but I just don’t know if this is appropriate. HELP!!! :eek:

Just for background…my step-mother is AK Native. I have an uncle who is Tlinget ‘Shaman’, and my step siblings are very into native spirituality…This makes me VERY uncomfortable to see it in our local Cathedral…
Click to expand...
This will be difficult. But we must remember that Catholic Faith exists within culture. But it is also important to remember that culture should not alter the Faith and beliefs of Catholics.
 
This will be difficult. But we must remember that Catholic Faith exists within culture.
Click to expand...
I don’t mean to be a smart alec, but when I read this I suddenly pictured Christ in a business suit and tie to fit into American culture. Or maybe he should be portrayed as a cowboy in a ten gallon hat and chaps? How about a stained glass window showing rustlers crucifiying Christ on a wagon wheel, putting a branding iron to his side instead of a spear?

The “heavily stylized totem pole with what looks like a dog or bear as the crucified Christ” sounds very disturbing. Next thing you know “Yo Mamma’s Last Supper” will be installed in some church under the pretext that it part of African-American culture.
 
I’m really not sure what to do…this is the Archbishop’s Cathedral. Do I file a complaint with the Archdiocese…or try to go over their heads? Should I do anything at all…?

I don’t want to make a mountain out of a molehill, but I don’t want to just sit and watch if more pagan art starts to infiltrate the church…

So confused…
 
40.png
Isidore_AK:
I’m really not sure what to do…this is the Archbishop’s Cathedral. Do I file a complaint with the Archdiocese…or try to go over their heads? Should I do anything at all…?

I don’t want to make a mountain out of a molehill, but I don’t want to just sit and watch if more pagan art starts to infiltrate the church…

So confused…
Click to expand...
God be with you!

You are of Inuit heritage? And YOU find this questionable? Have a little chat with Cardinal Arinze – a Convert from Animism. I’ll bet you would find a kindred spirit.

Perhaps a letter of query to the Archbishop’s office would be the place to start – beginning with your ethnic credentials! "Dear Archbishop . . . as a person of Inuit heritage . . . wondering about what seems to be a patronizing view of the Inuit mind in the decoration of . . . . Cathedral. You seem to have assembled without discretion symbols of the faith we have outgrown by coming to the fullness of the faith in Jesus Christ . . . " You get the idea.

As a convert myself (though from Anglicanism, which is at least tangentially European), I find that I want more to be inculturated into the Church than to have the Church adjust to me . . .
 
Actually, I’m not. My step-mother & my siblings are. I’m mostly of Irish stock. My family on my mothers side (my step mother raised me) is native Alaskan.
 
40.png
Isidore_AK:
Actually, I’m not. My step-mother & my siblings are. I’m mostly of Irish stock. My family on my mothers side (my step mother raised me) is native Alaskan.
Click to expand...
Takes a little starch out of the case; are you the only Catholic in the family? The only Catholic who feels this way?
 
. The Cathedral in Anchorage has a mostly white conregation, I believe it has one mass in Spanish on Sunday. The decoration of the Cathedral has NOTHING to do with inculturalization, and has everything to do with trying to be fashionable and politically correct. Cardinal Arinze has actually mentioned that inculturizations do not apply to conregations that are mostly of European descent.
40.png
mercygate:
God be with you!

You are of Inuit heritage? And YOU find this questionable? Have a little chat with Cardinal Arinze – a Convert from Animism. I’ll bet you would find a kindred spirit.

Perhaps a letter of query to the Archbishop’s office would be the place to start – beginning with your ethnic credentials! "Dear Archbishop . . . as a person of Inuit heritage . . . wondering about what seems to be a patronizing view of the Inuit mind in the decoration of . . . . Cathedral. You seem to have assembled without discretion symbols of the faith we have outgrown by coming to the fullness of the faith in Jesus Christ . . . " You get the idea.

As a convert myself (though from Anglicanism, which is at least tangentially European), I find that I want more to be inculturated into the Church than to have the Church adjust to me . . .
Click to expand...
 
40.png
JNB:
. The Cathedral in Anchorage has a mostly white conregation, I believe it has one mass in Spanish on Sunday. The decoration of the Cathedral has NOTHING to do with inculturalization, and has everything to do with trying to be fashionable and politically correct. Cardinal Arinze has actually mentioned that inculturizations do not apply to conregations that are mostly of European descent.
Click to expand...
Interesting points of information here. BTW, I was using Arinze as a case against wholesale inculturation. He’s my “Catholic is a World Religion” pin-up boy!
 
40.png
Chickamauga:
I don’t mean to be a smart alec, but when I read this I suddenly pictured Christ in a business suit and tie to fit into American culture. Or maybe he should be portrayed as a cowboy in a ten gallon hat and chaps? How about a stained glass window showing rustlers crucifiying Christ on a wagon wheel, putting a branding iron to his side instead of a spear?

The “heavily stylized totem pole with what looks like a dog or bear as the crucified Christ” sounds very disturbing. Next thing you know “Yo Mamma’s Last Supper” will be installed in some church under the pretext that it part of African-American culture.
Click to expand...
“I don’t mean to be a smart alec, but when I read this I suddenly pictured Christ in a business suit and tie to fit into American culture.”

In a sense in America that is where Christ needs to be. However it is the culture that is informed by the Faith and not the Faith that is formed by the culture.

What would one think of a crucifix on top of a buddha? In the early part of this century they were normal in oriental countires and were so for a very good reason.
 
I’ll take some photo’s this Sunday (I work during the week), it’s not my regular Sunday parish, but I do go there quite a bit for other reasons (the only place with weekday confessions, a Catholic library, etc.).

And yes, the largest ethnic group at the Cathedral is white, but there are many many Hispanics, Koreans, & Philipinos as well. The congregation is predominantly non-native, but not really ‘mostly white’, at least not at the (few Sunday) masses I have attended there (again, not my reglular parish. I like to stay for a mass after confession, or for a rosary).

My wife feels that this isn’t acceptable, but she is a recent convert to the Catholic Church (S. Baptist before). My family is mostly Catholic on my fathers side (those darn Irish Catholics! :D), and the Wife’s side are all ‘fundies’ ;).

Its my Step-Family thats native. Step Mother, Half-Brother, & Step-sister. They’ve been my 'sibs since I was a wee lad…and the only sibs I’ve ever had. My step mom exposed them to their native traditions (including religion) and I was always along for the ride. They’ve been involved in native dance groups, tribal religious ceremonies, and (to quote ‘The King & I’) etc. etc. etc…
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top