The Catholic League reacted with revulsion today to Sinead O’Connor’s foul-mouthed portrayal of the Virgin Mary in Neil Jordan’s movie, “The Butcher Boy.” In one of a series of appearances to the film’s main character, a young boy, Sinead’s Mary gratuitously throws in the F-word while counseling him about the loss of his best friend.
Catholic League director of communications Rick Hinshaw, after viewing the film, commented as follows:
“It was to be expected, given her past record, that a portrayal of the Blessed Mother by Sinead O’Connor would have to include something outrageously offensive. There is absolutely no context in which it would be appropriate to depict the Mother of Christ uttering such an obscenity. In this instance, moreover, the utterance is totally unnecessary, except perhaps for its shock value.
“There are those in the entertainment industry who constantly confuse shock value with creativity. It is the Jerry Springer syndrome, in which any vulgarity, obscenity, or offensive remark is seen as not only acceptable, but desirable—a cheap substitute for real creative talent.”
