Westminster Council rejects ‘homeless Jesus’

An application to install ‘The Homeless Jesus’ statue by Catholic artist Tim Schmalz has been rejected by the City of Westminster Council this week.

‘The Homeless Jesus’, created by the internationally renowned Canadian sculptor is a life-sized bronze figure wrapped in a blanket sleeping on a park bench, his exposed feet bearing nail marks of crucifixion. Schmalz describes the work as “a visual translation of core Christian values”. 

The council refused the application, which would have seen the statue become a permanent fixture outside Methodist Central Hall, because "the proposed sculpture would fail to maintain or improve (preserve or enhance) the character or appearance of the Westminster Abbey and Parliament Square Conservation Area" owing to “its location within the City Council’s Monument Saturation Zone”.

The statue has particular significance for Catholics because it was blessed by Pope Francis in 2013. The Pope said it was a “beautiful and excellent representation” of Jesus.

Revd Dr. Martyn Atkins, Team Leader at Methodist Central Hall, said: “London is a leading world city and the positive symbolic effect of placing ‘The Homeless Jesus’ here in Westminster would be enormous. 

“As a church we are extremely disappointed at the refusal of this application. We’re led to the unfortunate conclusion that a sculpture of Jesus, depicted as homeless, isn’t welcome in Westminster and so close to the Houses of Parliament. I imagine many people will find the Council suggestion that this particular piece of public art would somehow lower the tone of the neighbourhood insulting and ironic.

“Homelessness is real in Central London.  I hope that Westminster City Council will reconsider and see the positive impact that 'The Homeless Jesus' can have in drawing public attention to the plight of homeless and dislocated people.”

Dr Atkins said they were considering an appeal and were asking people to sign an online petition. The petition has so far received 100 signatures.

Permission has very recently been given for ‘The Homeless Jesus’ to be located in The Vatican in Rome and there are other sculptures around the world in Toronto, Washington DC and Madrid.

In London the sculpture was turned down by St Martin-in-the-Fields church in Trafalgar Square because of a rule banning anyone from sleeping or lying down inside the church. According to the Anglican Church Times, it was felt that given their rule, accepting the statue could leave the church open to ridicule.