Mexico: They withdraw exposure with sexualized religious symbols

The exhibition The coming of the Lordby the artist Fabián Cháirez, who represents religious images in sexualized contexts, was withdrawn from the San Carlos Museum in Mexico City by court order.

The decision was issued by the Sixth District Court in Administrative Matters, which granted an amparo to the Association of Christian Lawyers (AAC), which filed the complaint on behalf of the Catholic community of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), responsible for the institution that houses the sample.

Inaugurated last February 5 at the Academy of San Carlos, the exhibition generated controversy between the Catholic community due to the sexualized representation of figures such as the Pope, Cardinals and Religious.

The AAC presented an amparo backed by 35 students, alumni and teachers, who argued that the show violated their right to religious freedom, guaranteed in the Article 24 of the Mexican Constitution.

In addition, the signature collection platform Activate and Citizengo delivered 47,250 signatures to the rectory of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, demanding respect for the identity, culture and beliefs of millions of Mexicans.

Case resolution

On March 4, the judge in charge of the case decided that “freedom of expression has as a limit that does not exceed and affect the reputation and human right of the honor of Catholics in their beliefs and symbols of religion they profess.”

“The representations exhibited, question the expression of their ethical and social quality, affecting the reputation and the right to honor of Catholics, which legally translates into a right that involves the power of each individual to ask that it be treated in a decorous way and the obligation of others to respond to this treatment,” the document said.

Through A statement Shared today in his social networks, Fabián Cháirez described the suspension of his work as “an attack” against his work and “against the fundamental right to free expression, cornerstone of every democratic society.”

However, Carlos Ramírez, legal director of the AAC, explained to ACI Press that the complaint was based on “respect for rights, non -discrimination; to religious freedom and human dignity. ”

In addition, he stressed that this resolution “creates an important antecedent in favor of religious freedom in Mexico and respect for the sacred for us Catholics.”