The Self-Abasement of Canterbury

Until recently, a Google search of “church graffiti” yielded a litany of sad cases of church walls defaced by young ruffians. Now, those cases have been replaced by the curious incident of a church — one of the most famous and influential churches in the world, no less — voluntarily vandalizing itself.

Last week, The Times reported that Canterbury Cathedral, the ecclesiastical capital of the Church of England and home of the archbishop of Canterbury, had opened a new “art installation” in its sanctuary. The installation, which greets churchgoers as soon as they enter, covers many of the church walls with questions like Why the suffering? and Why did you create hate when love is by far more powerful? written in stenciled graffiti and applied as stickers that The Times helpfully identifies as “tags,” “throw-up lettering,” and “wildstyle designs.”

JM

About the Author

John Masko

John Masko is a writer from New Hampshire specializing in foreign policy, business, and the arts.

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Until recently, a Google search of “church graffiti” yielded a litany of sad cases of church walls defaced by young ruffians. Now, those cases have been replaced by the curious incident of a church — one of the most famous and influential churches in the world, no less — voluntarily vandalizing itself.

Last week, The Times reported that Canterbury Cathedral, the ecclesiastical capital of the Church of England and home of the archbishop of Canterbury, had opened a new “art installation” in its sanctuary. The installation, which greets churchgoers as soon as they enter, covers many of the church walls with questions like Why the suffering? and Why did you create hate when love is by far more powerful? written in stenciled graffiti and applied as stickers that The Times helpfully identifies as “tags,” “throw-up lettering,” and “wildstyle designs.”