The Canary islands ushered in Lent with a display of blasphemy one bishop described as “the saddest day of my stay in Canarias.”
They also did an impression of Jesus…
The display took place during a drag queen celebration marking Carnival, or the celebration of the eve of Lent. A drag depiction of the Virgin Mary and a nearly nude Jesus lewdly dancing to the Our Father was crowned best act.
According to Crux news, Francisco Cases, bishop of the diocese of Canarias, said his “eyes were full of tears.”
He also wondered:
“If there are no limits to the freedom of expression, if everything is licit in the festive manifestations because nothing is truth, if there are no resources for ending the blasphemous frivolity that offends so many citizens.”
The number began with an announcer, flanked by scantily clad women, smiling at the camera as he announced the piece’s name: “My darling! I don’t do miracles, may it be what God wants.”
Performer Drag Sethelas then took the stage, dressed as the Virgin Mary, complete with mantle, crown and garish lipstick. He began to sing along to Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” while fluttering his eyelashes.
He was accompanied by four backup dancers dressed as Nazarenes. Later, Drag Sethelas reappeared on stage dressed as Jesus on the Cross. He wore a crown of thorns, a wound in his side and thong loincloth. He then began a dance that showed his full range of flexibility, frequently lifting his leg up to his head.
According to Crux, Drag Sethelas asked, ““Do you want my forgiveness? Bend over and enjoy. Feel me in your mouth. Kneel down,” as he descended from the cross.
Nearly 6,000 people saw the performance live, before it went viral.
Other bishops and a government official condemned the act.
Euroweekly reports Drag Sethelas as saying he saw “nothing offensive” in the act, as he was “depicting something that happened in history that is part of our lives.”
Bishop Cases encouraged the faithful to pray to Christ and the Blessed Mother in reparation for the act, and for himself and other Christians who “don’t give the rightful witness.”
