This week in review:

• Diversity Through A Coordinator - They had images of Our Lady of Guadalupe and other traditionally Catholic symbols. The week he preached, he brought all kinds of Catholic symbols into the parish and the liturgy was partially in Spanish. None of this was authentic to …
• Mike Cavanaug’s last gallery appearance for 2008 at Infusion Gallery - Current projects include: Catholic Symbols involving all 21 of the California missions; Nature’s Paintings; an inspirational project encompassing both landscape and Catholic symbols; a seedy Swimming Pool series; …
• the vatican fires another shot in the war-on-secularism - roman catholic symbols such as the crucifix are common in countries with a long standing catholic tradition. the crucifix doesn’t validate the existence of god - it merely reflects an artist’s conception - not exactly a popular subject …

I am re-printing this blog post from Clerical Whispers.  Do we not have this similar problem in the United States?  How do you feel about these Christian Symbols?  Feel free to leave your comment…

Spain makes history with crucifix ruling

A judge in Spain has ruled that crucifixes hung on classroom walls contravene the secular and neutral nature of the country’s constitution.

The Macias Picavea state school in Valladolid must now remove the religious symbols from classrooms and public spaces. The case was sparked by a 2005 complaint from a parent and a local secular association.

The judgment is said to be the first of its kind in the country’s history: “What you have to realize is that the content of this ruling corresponds exactly with the provisions of the constitution and the secular character of the State,” said Mercedes Cabrera, Spain’s Education Minister.

Despite the provisions of the 1978 constitution, ensuring the separation of Church and state, Catholic symbols are prominent in many of Spain’s schools and colleges. The Catholic Church in Spain criticized the decision, saying it could make religious co-existence more difficult.

“I think what is important is not to get rid of all religious symbols, but to help people learn to respect them, whatever their religion,” said Carlos Amigo, the Archbishop of Seville.

The Vatican is equally unhappy with the judgment. An article in its semi-official newspaper, “L’Osservatore Romano”, said the move was motivated by “anti-religious hatred”.

Clerical Whispers: Spain makes history with crucifix ruling

After the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, many of his followers scattered and went underground.  Of course, his apostles and closest disciples were emboldened by the Holy Spirit and set out to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus.  Persecution of those who believed that Jesus was Christ, the Christians, occurred almost immediately and it became necessary for Christians to identify one another through the use of symbols.  One of the most well known was the symbols of the fish.

This fish symbols has been found by archaeologists in caves and catacombs that were used as meeting places.  It has been found in markings of graves and even in dwelling places. It was a symbol that was recognized by other true followers but not by those who were not.  Why the fish?

There are several interesting theories surrounding the use of the fish.  First off, Jesus preached primarily in Galilee, a fishing town.  Many of His first chosen apostles were fishermen, including Simon Peter to whom he entrusted the keys of the church.  Jesus, who taught in parables, told his disciples he would make the “fishers of men”.  There are several passages in the New Testament that reference fish.

One very popular school of thought concerning the fish comes in the Greek word for fish – IXOYE –iota, chi, theta, upsilon, and sigma.  In English the sounds from those letters would be ICHTHUS and you may have heard the fish symbol referred to as the “ichthus fish”.  The combination of these letters is an acronym – Iesous Christos Theou Uiou Soter – which translated means Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.

Catholic theology has elaborated on the five words of the acronym into the Jesus prayer, which goes, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

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Questions always arise as to whether the use of Catholic Symbols is a form of idolatry. Usually it is because the questioner is not altogether familiar with what these symbols really are. We do not worship the crucifix. We use it as a reminder of Jesus’ suffering and death for our sins. We do not worship the fish. We display it as a proud emblem of our Christianity. We do not worship the statues of the saints. We use them to remind us of their wonderful lives so that they may be role-models for us to emulate.

As far back as when the Ten Commandments were given to Moses, idolatry in the Old Testament was defined as the worship of idols or images. It is the worship of anything but God that is wrong and sinful. The mere images, symbols or icons are not the problem.

A great example of this in the time of Moses is the Brass Serpent. God commanded Moses to make this Brass Serpent and lift it high to cure any Israelite who looked at it of snakebites. I repeat it was God who commanded Moses to make this image. Later in history, King Hezekiah destroyed the Serpent because the Hebrew people had been burning incense to it in worship. The symbol had eventually become an object of idolatry. See the difference?

When God gave commandments regarding idolatry he meant it to be understood in its most literal form. According to the Bible, most idolaters really believed that their idols were gods. That is not so today with Catholic Symbols .

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Just as the picture shows the Claddagh symbol is a an Irish Catholic symbol set as a cross with a ring similar to the Celtic cross.  One major difference is the Celtic cross contains the complete circle of life while the Claddagh contains two hands surrounding a heart at the bottom of the ring.  This Irish Catholic symbol signifies love, friendship and loyalty.

There are several stories circulating about the origin of the Claddagh symbol or cross but one credible legend has its origins going back to the 16th Century when Galway native Richard Joyce was traveling to the West Indies. He was captured and enslaved by pirates and later worked in captivity melting gold plundered by his captors.  He eventually learned the art of melting this gold into medallions and other precious items.

He was eventually released, returned to Ireland and married.  He and his wife started a jewelry making business and his most famous piece was the ring that included the love heart.
Richard’s hometown in Galway was Claddagh, a small fishing village.  Legend also has it that the popularity of the Claddagh symbol increased when Queen Victoria visited Ireland and was presented a ring with one as a gift.

Whatever the actual origin, the Claddagh Cross is a truly beautiful Irish Catholic symbol of love.

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