Neo-Catechumenate Founder Paints His Face on Christ Ikons for Ugly Churches

Editor: this discussion of Kiko Arguello's art took place in a discussion about how the churches executed by Neocatechumenate people are ugly, and it became obviously to the highly accredited author of an Italian blog that Mr. Arguello had painted himself in Christ's face.

Italy.  The Christus Ikon of Kiko Arguello, the founder of the Neocatechumenal Way -- for the painted for the interior of churches, has the artist's face on it. This was reported by Francesco Colafemmina already on the 5th of May, 2009 on his blog,
Arguello always omits Christ's halo.

H/t kreuz.net...

Image from Catholic Church Conservation.

Vatican Objects to Ugly John Paul II Statue

Editor: Most people, including the Vatican, think this thing is ugly.  Finally, someone who can make a decision who has some sense.  Most of the time, such ugly public works of arts are forced upon the population.  Perhaps most taxpayers are too afraid of being called uncultured for calling ugly things ugly?  One Italian lady observes that the "art" may be used by the homeless to sleep in and it will be full of beer cans in no time.

Rome Mayor Gianni Alemanno, asked by APTN in an exclusive interview in his office if the city might take down the statue, said public opinion would be considered.

"There's an ancient saying: 'Vox populi, vox dei' (Latin for voice of the people, voice of God)," Alemanno said. "And from this point of view we cannot help but take into consideration the opinion of the public."

"And if public opinion consolidates around a negative opinion, we'll have to take that into consideration," the mayor said.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/05/20/entertainment/e053751D50.DTL#ixzz1NCU6mTZX