The news agency of the Italian Bishops’ Conference has criticised a version of Madonna's hit single Like a Virgin released by singing nun Sr Cristina, denouncing her choice as “reckless”.
Sr Cristina Sciuccia won the hearts of millions when she when appeared on the Italian version of the television talent show The Voice in full habit - and went on to win the competition.
But now the Ursaline nun has attracted the displeasure of the Italian church by releasing as her debut single a version of Madonna’s provocative pop song, Like a Virgin.
In an editorial, SIR, the news agency of the Italian bishops, described her song selection as “a commercial choice, reckless and shrewd”.
“We have no fears for her future-as a pop star,” the statement added.
The video features shots of Sr Cristina, in her simple habit and wimple, singing in various churches in Venice.
Madonna's original, in 1984, was also set in Venice.
Don Claudio Burgio, director of the Milan Cathedral Choir, told the magazine Famiglia Cristiana: “We hope she does not succumb to this prima donna style behaviour.”
But the 26-year-old nun said her choice of song was not intended to be scandalous.
“I chose it myself, without any desire to provoke or cause a scandal,” she told Catholic newspaper Avvenire. “When you read the lyrics, without letting yourself be influenced by previous interpretations, you discover that it is a song about the ability of love to renew people, to redeem them from their past. And that’s how I wanted to interpret it.”
“That’s why we transformed the pop-dance track into a romantic ballad … more like a secular prayer than a pop song.”
Other tracks on the nun’s first album, released on 11 November, include covers of Keane’s Somewhere Only We Know, Coldplay’s Fix You, Alicia Keys’ No One, Cyndi Lauper’s True Colours and Jessie J’s Price Tag.
When Madonna released her breakthrough hit in 1984, it sparked worldwide debate over whether it was supposed to be a spiritual ballad or a challenge to church teachings on women's sexuality. At the time conservatives wanted it to be banned because they believed the song promoted pre-marital sex and attacked family values.
Sr Cristina stunned judges when she auditioned on The Voice in March, saying that she was following Pope Francis’ command to bring the Church to ordinary people.
The first judge to comment, rapper J-Ax said: “If I'd had a nun like you at Sunday school I'd be pope now.”
The audition racked up 30 million hits on YouTube in just seven days.
Loading ...
