The City of Barcelona, Spain holds an annual feast called La Mercè, which was originally inspired by the city’s patron, the Virgin Mary of Mercy, known in Spain as Maria de la Mercè. Every year, the city publishes a poster promoting the Mercè event. But this year’s advertisement featured a blasphemous and immodest portrayal of the Queen of Heaven surrounded by grotesque figures in contorted and suggestive positions.
The poster of the Mercè event makes a clear reference to the Virgin Mary of Mercy, as the figure wears a crown and appears as the central figure atop a baroque-style frame that resembles a Spanish altar. Like many depictions of Our Lady of Mercy, the figure has both arms outstretched. According to reports:
“…Posters and videos advertising the La Mercè Festival, which will take place September 23-28, depict an immodestly dressed woman clearly mimicking Maria de la Mercè, standing on a baroque altarpiece and lewdly dancing alongside what appear to be multiple cross-dressed individuals…
” ‘(T)he official poster (and its video version) of the next edition of the city’s biggest party irreverently uses different religious forms with the intention of ridiculing the image of the Virgin.’ the statement [from the Archdiocese of Barcelona] said.” (Source: LifeSiteNews .com)
This poster is a direct reference and attack against the Virgin Mary. Some will argue that the Mercè festivities have become secularized over time, and have moved away from the celebration of the Virgin Mary of Mercy. But this can never justify an attack against the Mother of God. In fact, the attack is so obvious that even the Cardinal Archbishop Juan José Omella of Barcelona condemned it.
Please join us in defending the Virgin Mary’s honor, and sign our petition demanding that the city immediately remove this year’s poster and video of this blasphemous portrayal of the Blessed Virgin.