Why an icon depicting Jesus as a Black man was stolen from a Catholic university

At the end of November and in honor of Black Catholic History month the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America unveiled a new icon outside of its chapel. The image depicts Mary holding her dead son, Jesus. Both are dark-skinned. The artist, Kelly Latimore, said the icon was inspired by the murder of George Floyd. Soon after it was displayed, the university began receiving calls and letters alleging the image was blasphemous. A lobby began to remove the icon. Then, it was stolen. Then, a smaller version of the same icon was also stolen.

Kelly Latimore joins Gloria to discuss his inspiration for the icon and how it has been celebrated and ridiculed across the Catholic community.

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Kelly Latimore Icons

After racist comments, Catholic University replaces stolen icon depicting Black Mary and Jesus

Second ‘George Floyd’ Pietà icon stolen from Catholic University

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