School books with offensive Christ pictures seized

GUWAHATI, Assam, Feb. 25, 2010, 10.00 Hrs (UCAN):

Police in Shillong seized copies of a school book that has pictures of Jesus Christ holding a cigarette in one hand and a beer bottle in the other. The police registered a case against the book’s New Delhi-based publisher and supplier following complaints from St. Joseph Girl’s Higher Secondary School in the Meghalaya state capital, a predominately Christian town. The Congregation of Our Lady of Missions manages the school.

The offensive pictures of the Sacred Heart of Jesus appear in the cursive writing practice book meant for grade one. The picture is printed in the cover as well as in an inside page, said Shillong archdiocesan chancellor Father John Madur. The inside page introduces the alphabet "I" with the word "idol." The picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is given as an example of idol. He said parents and teachers were shocked and the school withdrew the book "at once."

Archbishop Dominic Jala of Shillong said Catholics in the state "are deeply shocked and hurt at the objectionable portrayal of Jesus."

He said that the Church "strongly condemns the total lack of respect for religious symbols from the publishers." School headmistress Sister M. Thaddeus Syiemiong told the school authorities noticed the picture "only a few days back. We have asked the students to return the books."