By Ruby Thomas, Record Staff Writer
The bronze figure huddled under a blanket on a park bench — on the front lawn of St. James Church — could be that of any homeless person. Only the familiar nail wounds on the feet give away that it’s a figure of Jesus Christ.
When a parishioner of St. James Church, 1826 Edenside Drive, approached Father Gary Padgett offering to anonymously commission a statue of the “Homeless Jesus” for the parish, the pastor said he had mixed feelings.
Father Padgett said the parish had long struggled with how to help the many homeless individuals who often found a place to sleep in the protective doorways of the Highlands church. How can they put up a statue, then “ask a homeless person not to sleep in the church’s doorway?” asked Father Padgett.
The answer came in the form of the sculpture by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz.
The “Homeless Jesus” statue will have a lock box installed where parishioners and passers-by will be able to donate money, said the donor. Father Padgett said the money will go directly to Catholic Charities.
The parishioner who donated the sculpture said in a phone interview that he was “moved” by the work of art partly because he’d always struggled with how to respond to individuals who ask for money on the streets.
“My heart goes out to them,” he said.
At the same time, he questioned whether they were truly homeless and in need. He felt called by God, he said, to do this. He hopes the “Homeless Jesus” will increase awareness about the plight of the homeless and “allow people to give in a way that’s properly channeled to (help) the homeless.” Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz will bless the sculpture at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 23.
I feel there are better ways to help the homeless. The bronze statue is a slap to those in need. I’m certain that if we were to melt it down and sell the metal for what it’s worth, we can help a whole lot more. this is a bench that homeless people cannot sleep on. In front of a church whose doorways the homeless are not welcome to seek shelter in. Giving money to Catholic Charities doesn’t necessarily get the funds directly to those in the most dire needs. This is a sad waste of money and an insult to members of our community who are homeless. If this is what brings your attention to the homeless, then you are blind to the truth of what surrounds you.
Thank you for articulating what I didn’t know how to say. This sculpture is lovely, and it conveys a meaningful message about how we look at the homeless, but there are people out in the trenches fighting for their health and lives. The money going to Catholic Charities will go to all the services of Catholic Charities, and not specifically to help the homeless. Policies need to be changed. Hearts need to be changed. Money is secondary to the process.