World Cup 2014: Catholics Fury Over Advert with Christ the Redeemer

Brazil Christ Redeemer

Brazil’s Catholic Church is infuriated by a blasphemous commercial that was run by the Italian state television channel Rai Italia. The church has alleged that the ad is digitally manipulated and it is disrespectful and inappropriate. The now controversial ad is 30-seconds long and features children dressed in the blue shirt of the Azzurri, scoring goals during games of street football. It however ends with an image of Rio de Janeiro’s famous Christ the Redeemer statue wearing the same jersey with a number 10 and Italia written across the shoulders. “Brazil awaits us,” the ad says.

In response to the blasphemous advert, the Archdiocese of Rio slapped a lawsuit against Rai on June 11 on grounds of a copyright infringement. The lawsuit claims damage between £4,000,000 and £6,000,000 and promises to give away the money to charity if the archdiocese wins the case. Apparently, the Archdiocese of Rio owns the imaging rights to the Christ the Redeemer statue.

Edio Costantini, president of CSI, which is a sports organization in the Vatican, told Italian newspaper Fatto Quotidiano, “We live in a world that has put God on the bench… At a time when religious values seem to have become insignificant and everything is commercial, it’s right to feel indignation, even with an act of force.”

Another priest from the archdiocese who requested anonymity told Brazilian newspaper O Globo that the blasphemous ad was comparable to a particular Brazilian commercial in which mulatto girls were shown seducing gladiators inside the Colosseum.

According to Alessandro Maria Tirelli, lawyer for Rai, the archdiocese feels outraged but considering Pope Francis is an ardent football fan himself, it is a good sign that he has remained mum on the subject so far. However, the ad also led to some protests within Italy and has since been withdrawn by Rai.

Photo Credit: New York Daily News

If you like our posts, subscribe to the Atheist Republic newsletter to get exclusive content delivered weekly to your inbox. Also, get the book "Why There is No God" for free.

Click Here to Subscribe

Donating = Loving

Heart Icon

Bringing you atheist articles and building active godless communities takes hundreds of hours and resources each month. If you find any joy or stimulation at Atheist Republic, please consider becoming a Supporting Member with a recurring monthly donation of your choosing, between a cup of tea and a good dinner.

Or make a one-time donation in any amount.