I came accross this image when I was looking for a 5K race to run:



Though I know these attempts are almost certainly futile, I e-mailed the promoters of the image; somebody has to stand up for Our Lady, right?Here's what our discussion looks like so far. I have not responded to the man's last message (i'm rushing to work, but wanted to share). Any points would be appreciated:

Dear Surfing Madonna Oceans Project Board:

I came across your mural of the "Surfing Madonna," recently when searching for a race to join and stumbled across the 5K/10K Surfing Madonna race

As a Catholic, American and ethnic-Mexican, I see the image and idea of La Virgen de Guadalupe often abused. Though she is commonly regarded of as patroness only to Mexico, or Mexicans, the true fact is is that she is the patroness of all of the Americas (North and South) and the Philippines, which all belonged to the Spanish Crown  at the time of her Apparition to Blessed Juan Diego.

I know that in our society today, two facts exist: (1) the use of Our Lady of Guadalupe in sacrilegious art today is common and (2) there are protections in our form of government for such art. It is with these two facts in mind that I write this letter to you, as a request to have the mosaic taken down. I find the particular use of Our Lady of Guadalupe is gravely offensive to me, as a Catholic and devotee of La Virgen. It makes a mockery of all that she has accomplished and what she truly stands for. Though I have reviewed the goals of your organization, and find them respectable and worthy of praise, to portray Our Blessed mother as a comical 'surfer' is an injustice to all of the good she has brought about.  Please take it down. Perhaps have another rendition of the mural done.

Please be assured of my prayers for you and your organization, and of my Hope for the current image of our Blessed Mother be either destroyed or changed.

Yours in Christ and the most Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,
Richard

The local Catholic Church requested to have the mural put on her wall. This mosaic has brought people from across the world and country together. This mosaic has poured money into special needs programs, youth scholarships and protected our oceans.

For some reason it's not a problem for people to have the Virgen of Guadalupe depicted on lighters from 7/11 or candles from the .99 cent store. Its a wonder that a beautiful 10'x10' Mosaic that has put smiles and drawn thankful tears on so many faces unfortunately offends 1 in every 1000 emails that we receive.

I hope you will understand that 99.9% of the Catholic community including myself are pleased at what the Surfing Madonna has done for the world and that you will see the good in all of this just as the Virgen of Guadalupe would see.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and we hope to see you ate the race.

Bob

Sent from my iPhone

Thank you for responding Mr. Nichols.

I am glad the mural has been able to produce good for philanthropic purposes. However, as St. Thomas aquinas said, against a fact there is no argument; the fact remains that the image is sacrilegious. The error from the local Catholic Church, the appeal to so many people, and even the natural good it has brought to various causes is no justification for it.

Nevertheless I understand your position, and thank you for taking the time to respond. Do you mind providing the local Church's name?

God be with you,

Richard

I don't think we have any basis for a fact here and I think St. Thomas would agree. Do you know how controversial the "Angelic Doctor" was in the 1200's with the Catholic Church? St. Thomas's thoughts on human intellect and Christian Philosophy knowns as "Thomism" we're quite controversial and were viewed as sacrilegious at times with the Catholic Church, but eventually the Catholic Church took them into practice.

What you view as factual and sacrilegious is not to everyone else.  You don't represent the masses, the masses represent the masses. I look at the fact that the Mosaic, not mural, depicts a positive happy image for our Catholic Church and introduces the Virgen of Guadalupe to so many who have forgotten or never knew that she existed. Yes hard to believe that people don't know about the Virgen de Guadalupe.

Children, parents, old and young have gathered around the Surfing Madonna, some leaving candles, all walking away smiling not disgusted or offended but again smiling.  Anything that brings good to numerous communities and puts smiles on peoples faces is a fine representation for our Catholic community and the Virgen de Guadalupe, even if she's on a surf board.

I'm sorry you feel this way, and I realize we can't please everyone.  I hope one day you will be able to see the good that is coming from all of this.  In the mean time I respect your opinion and will always respond sincerely to your letters.

Respectfully,

Bob Nichols

If there were an audience to this dispute there might be some point in continuing, but since it's in private, I think you should bow out by briefly reasserting that his organization has taken liberties with the sacred image of a patroness whose feet we would be called blessed to kiss, and they should be ashamed. Whatever charitable works they have done they could have achieved better under a respectful banner.  You could add (and I'm assuming now) that you are no longer interested in participating and will be warning away friends and family. But your emails are unlikely to affect this fellow.