24.04.2015
Archbishops of Dublin to Bless ‘Homeless Jesus’ Sculpture at Christ Church Cathedral
The Church of Ireland and Catholic Archbishops of Dublin will together bless the ‘Homeless Jesus’ sculpture which is to be located in the grounds of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. Archbishop Michael Jackson and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin will bless the sculpture on Friday May 1 at 3.00 pm at a special service in the cathedral in the presence of Dean Dermot Dunne and the cathedral choir, followed by the official unveiling.
Casts of the much talked about sculpture (pictured) have been installed in cities in North America, Canada and Europe. Following a competition among prospective Dublin sites, Christ Church Cathedral was chosen to be the location by Tim Schmalz. The 7ft–wide bronze sculpture depicts a park bench with a faceless cloaked figure lying on it. Passers–by realise that the sculpture depicts Jesus only when they notice the holes in the feet.
Canadian based Schmalz, who will be in attendance, is a devout Catholic and Homeless Jesus has been blessed by the Pope. He does not see religion as a barrier. “I am delighted that the sculpture is going in the spiritual heart of Dublin, which is Christ Church,” says Schmalz. “When I met the Dean, I saw in his eyes instantly that he was just delighted to have the sculpture at Christ Church. He talked about the sculpture with a deep powerfulness. And when you start talking about the deepest ideas about spirituality, it’s contagious.”
“I think the statue is absolutely beautiful. It goes beyond religion,” says The Very Rev Dermot Dunne, Dean of Christ Church, who recently slept rough to highlight the plight of the homeless. “We are in the centre of the city, where I’m seeing homelessness all the time, and it’s getting worse.”
The sculpture is being presented to the people of Dublin by an anonymous North American Episcopalian benefactor, who is also giving the sculpture to 11 other European cities, including the Vatican City in Rome.