Homeless Jesus Statue Unveiled Outside Downtown Detroit Church
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - A statue of a homeless Jesus sleeping on a park bench has been unveiled in front of a downtown Detroit church that serves as a warming center for the homeless.
The bronze sculpture was unveiled after Sunday Mass at Ss. Peter and Paul Jesuit Catholic Church, across from the Renaissance Center.
The sculpture shows a life-size man lying on a park bench. Feet protruding from a blanket feet bear the marks of crucifixion.
A Twitter image announcing a Homeless Jesus installation.
@HomelessJesus will soon find a home in Indy! More info coming on June 21. #HomelessJesusIndy #HomelessJesus pic.twitter.com/ArAXCiBW0p
— Wheeler Mission (@WheelerMission) June 19, 2015
Ontario-born artist Timothy Schmalz created the sculpture. Copies also are in place in Grand Haven, Michigan; Phoenix; Washington; Chicago; and Charleston, West Virginia reports The Detroit Free Press.
Schmalz intended for the bronze sculpture to be provocative, telling one outlet, "That's essentially what the sculpture is there to do. It's meant to challenge people."
The Rev. Gary Wright is the parish's pastoral administrator and says the congregation hopes the installation will be "a great event for the city."
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