Editor’s note: the above image is not the image referenced in the article.
CV NEWS FEED // Swiss politician Sanija Ameti has sent a letter to the Swiss Catholic bishops apologizing for using an image of the painting “Madonna and Child” for target practice.
The German Catholic news agency Katholisch reported that Ameti sent a letter to Swiss Bishop Joseph Maria Bonnemain, “in which she asked the Catholic community for forgiveness.”
The Swiss Bishops’ Conference (SBC) issued a statement on September 9 stating, according to an unofficial English translation, that they “condemn this unacceptable behavior,” and added, “Like many Catholics, the Swiss bishops also feel offended in their religious sensibilities.”
The statement noted that while the bishops were grateful for Ameti’s apology letter, they were “obliged to publicly express their deep disapproval.”
“In our society, it remains crucial that education and upbringing actively contribute to respect for the human person and his or her religious beliefs,” the statement concludes.
The apology came after Ameti had posted pictures of herself on Instagram using the 14th-century painting “Madonna and Child” as target practice. She later removed the images, switched her Instagram to a private account, and apologized on her X account.
An unofficial translation of the apology on her X account reads: “I apologize to the people who were hurt by my post. I deleted it immediately when I realized its religious content. I didn’t think about it. I’m incredibly sorry.”
Katholisch reports that Ameti told Swiss media outlet kath.ch that she received threats after posting the images, and, as a result, she and her family are under the protection of the police.
Ameti also stepped down from her role on the executive board of the Green Liberal Party (GLP) in Zurich at the request of her party, according to Katholisch.
Ameti is co-president of Operation Libero, which the International Civil Society Centre describes as “a political movement to combat the SVP’s populist right wing agenda.” Operation Libero stated, according to Katholisch: “For her [Ameti] and for Operation Libero, there is no question that her actions were wrong and inappropriate.”
Prayers of reparation for blasphemies against the Holy Face of Jesus can be found here.
