In the Huffington Post article, Meredith Bennett-Smith begins her article with “the statue is haunting and uncomfortable, depicting a darkly shrouded figure lying huddled on a long park bench”. For me this statement actively depicts the emotional stigma that accompanies members of homeless communities. Timothy Schmalz’s “Homeless Jesus” statue has not only depicted the emotions described in the previous quote, but has stirred up controversy within the city of Toronto and the Catholic Register.

Inspired by a homeless man, Schmalz discussed that it was jarring to come back to Toronto and to see so many homeless people on its corners and benches. For Schmalz, the statue was meant as a permanent reminder of the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 25:31-46, where Jesus tells his disciples that they help the sick, the tired, the homeless, and they also help him [Jesus]. This would seem to be a powerful message to the city of Toronto, yet the statue was rejected by two high-profile cathedrals.

Is it because Schmalz’s statue hit too close to home for the city (no pun intended)? Or perhaps associating Jesus with the stigma of homelessness isn’t appropriate in the Catholic perspective? Although the initial fears of controversy and vagueness might have stemmed the Catholic leaders’ reaction, shouldn’t this push the Catholic
community to do more to help the homeless?

See the artiicle for yourself here.