The display “God is Trans: A Queer Spiritual Journey” showcased at a Catholic church in New York City is being met with resistance and criticism from some of its own congregation.
The New York Post published a report on Sunday stating that the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, situated on the West Side of Manhattan, is recognized for its liberal views. Nevertheless, some members of the congregation appear to be seeking clarification or finding it challenging to accept the “God is Trans” exhibit.
‘God is Trans’ exhibit at ‘very liberal’ NYC Catholic Church raises eyebrows https://t.co/ftjIFnLFBA pic.twitter.com/wM7C5WVaDi
— New York Post (@nypost) May 7, 2023
As per the Post, a member of the congregation expressed that the exhibit seemed inappropriate within the church’s setting. Additionally, the individual remarked that when a friend inquired about it from a priest, they had received no response.
“The church should not be promoting this. I understand there are transgender people. I pray for all people but enough is enough,” the parishioner said. “It seems like they are trying to force the agenda on others,” they said. “Also, when a friend asked a priest about this they didn’t answer. You can’t put this out on the altar and then hide. That’s what gets the church in trouble.”
The exhibit created by Adah Unachukwu allegedly outlines a “queer spiritual journey in three stages: Sacrifice, Identity, and Communion.” It showcases artwork and draws a connection between God and a person who identifies as transgender by describing “sacrifice” as the process of discarding a former identity or life. Next, “identity” refers to individuals asking the spiritual question of “What does holiness look like?” Finally, the third stage, “communion,” aligns more closely with the conventional definition and explores the intersection of God and humanity.
The New York Post attempted to contact the Archdiocese of New York, but a spokesperson declined to comment, stating that they were unaware of the exhibit’s existence.
