14 DAY TRIAL // A sculpture depicting Jesus sleeping on a bench and appearing homeless now sits outside a Jesuit theological institute in Toronto, after being turned down by two Catholic churches.
Religious artist Timothy Schmalz was given the go-ahead to place it on campus at Regis College at the University of Toronto following rejections by St. Michael’s Cathedral in Toronto and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York.
He tells The Star that church officials have dubbed it inappropriate for their establishment, even as he has explained his wish to make the image of Jesus relatable to people of all social standings.
The life-size sculpture doesn't show Jesus' face and the artist suggests that it could show either a man or a woman.
“It was very upsetting because the rectors liked it, but when it got to the administration, people thought it might be too controversial or vague,” he recalls.