Crucifix removed because it was "unsuitable"

(Telegraph) - Rev Souter said the traditional Christian symbol was frightening children and scaring off worshippers at St John's Church in Horsham, West Sussex.

He has had the 10ft resin sculpture, created by Edward Bainbridge Copnall MBE, a former president of the Royal Society of British Sculptors, removed, to be replaced by an ultra-modern stainless steel cross.

Some church-goers have reacted angrily to the decision, saying it is another nail in the coffin of ancient Christian tradition.

Rev Souter, formerly a cell biologist, said: "The crucifix expressed suffering, torment, pain and anguish. It was a scary image, particularly for children.

"Parents didn't want to walk past it with their kids, because they found it so horrifying.

"It wasn't a suitable image for the outside of a church wanting to welcome worshippers. In fact, it was a real put-off.

"We're all about hope, encouragement and the joy of the Christian faith. We want to communicate good news, not bad news, so we need a more uplifting and inspiring symbol than execution on a cross."

St John's Church was opened in 1963 and the crucifix was installed within a year.
The sculpture was removed on a low-loader truck and delivered to nearby Horsham Museum, where it will continue to be displayed.

One long-standing member of the church, who asked not to be named, said: "The crucifix is the oldest and most famous symbol of the Christian church. No it's not.

"Pulling it down and putting up something that would look more at home on the side of a flashy modern shopping centre is not the way to get more bums on seats.

"Next they'll be ripping out the pews and putting sofas in their place, or throwing out all the Bibles and replacing them with laptops. It's just not right." In all seriousness, this man just described the church down the street from me.

Rev Souter, who has been vicar at St John's since 2001, believes the modern new cross, which has been designed by artist Angela Godfrey, will present 'a positive message of hope' on the side of his church. I am also a fan of this philosophy. Being thankful for the life given by a chicken I can enjoy this Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwich while remaining blithely ignorant that a living thing died and was rendered for my sustenance. I mean, who has ever really seen a chicken anyway? Similarly, I can remove all religious art focusing on the sacrifices made by our saints and replace them with more affirming material. Tomorrow I will be using an egg tempura mixture to edit out the crosses from the icons of martyrs for the faith and do some creative editing so that they are holding signs saying "Welcome!" "How are you feeling today?" and "Jesus loves you!"

A spokesman at Horsham Museum said: "Thanks to the generosity of St John's, we have been given the remarkable sculpture of Jesus on the Cross by Edward Bainbridge Copnall.

"The museum was keen to have the figure because it is a stunning example of Edward's ability and skill as a sculptor. This repurposing of religious art is a good idea. If it worked for Hagia Sophia why not in West Sussex.

"Being made out of coal dust and resin it represents the cutting edge of materials, as well as being a dramatic interpretation of a well-known image."