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Ricochet Essay Question of the Weekend, or, Michelangelo for Sale?
Let us suppose that a rich man — a very, very rich man, such as, for example, Jack Ma, who possesses a net worth of some $20 billion — makes a straightforward proposition to the Vatican.
Aware that Pope Francis speaks constantly about the plight of the poor, an inspired by the Morris West novel, Shoes of the Fisherman, which culminates in a decision by the pope of the day to sell all the Vatican’s treasures to avert a famine, Mr. Ma has decided to make an offer for one Vatican treasure in particular: the Pieta.
If Pope Francis will sell him the Pieta, Mr. Ma says, he will pay, let us say, $5 billion. That would be by far the highest amount ever paid for a work of art, Mr. Ma acknowledges, but the Pieta is perhaps one of the half dozen most magnificent pieces of art ever created — and, since he knows the money will go to the poor, Mr. Ma explains, he has no intention of quibbling.
In return for Michelangelo’s masterpiece, $5 billion that Pope Francis could use to relieve the sufferings of the poor.
Should the Pontiff accept the offer?
Published in Culture, Religion & Philosophy
This stuff is as easy as it is pointless. How many “Syrian refugees” could be housed that building?
And… ?
Mary the mother of Jesus was there. She watched her son die on the cross for all mankind. No grief was greater than hers. No appreciation was greater than hers.
The Pieta is a reminder of the terrible price paid for our sins. We Christians living centuries after Christ’s death are so accustomed to the image of Jesus on the cross that it can depersonalize Him. We can sometimes approach Him more as a concept or symbol than as a man. Seeing His mother’s grief helps to bridge that gap. It can help connect us to that terrible moment.
If you believe that massive welfare spending from a central authority however well-intentioned will actual eliminate or relieve poverty, perhaps.
Yet there are 3 billion people who persist on $2.50 per day or less. Even assuming a perfect distribution system that is 100% efficient and costless and 100% free from cruel political manipulation in these political cesspools, that $5 billion will raise income less than 1/2 penny per day for one year.
Add to that 1/2 penny per day the facts that centralized welfare spending doesn’t eliminate or relieve poverty, is woefully inefficient and cripplingly expensive to distribute through the same corrupt social structures which immiserate millions and the answer is no, sadly.
Well, the Vatican would need to make some real tight stipulations in the terms of contract. I can think of at least two off the top of my head:
1. The Pieta must remain accessible to the public. Whether the buyer Mr. Ma makes this access free of charge or assesses charges and funnels the proceeds into World Vision, Bread for the World, Catholic Charities or some such organisation is up to him. But he must put his money where he says his convictions lie.
2. No harm must be allowed to come to the Pieta through deliberate action or inaction of Mr. Ma, his employees, or family members, or third parties, and satisfactory protections of the Pieta must be put in place to assure its continued enjoyment by posterity.
If he fails to meet either of these conditions (or others imposed by the Vatican), no sale at any price.
But then it’s not a sale — it’s a license. If you cannot destroy it, or transfer it on your terms alone (and the receiver of course), you do not own it.
The Gospels don’t depict Jesus going to the bathroom. Does that mean it didn’t happen?
Same here.
I would rather see the Vatican keep the Pieta and see the Smithsonian sell this bust. Perhaps the Church should buy this bust and then bury it, and as Mike Huckabee said, after burying the bust of Margaret Sanger we should apologize to the dirt.
Sell it? How about smash it?
The handles of some large household shears should protrude from the back of that bust. It’s her thing.
Just for the avoidance of doubt, Peter is a Catholic and does not appear to have a secret agenda of undermining the Church. If he were doing so, his attack would land as squarely on JPII as on any, and Peter’s respect for Popes generally, and JP in particular, is a matter of public record.
Also, of all the notables present, I think Robinson and Lileks are the only two who will get predictably wound up at diet conservatism.
James! You are here. Seems I haven’t seen you commenting lately. I hope all is well.
He’s been squiring persons of dubious distinction around the locker rooms of the darned on that other thread.
Yes, sex always wins out around here, doesn’t it?
Deviant sex, yes. But let’s leave Peter’s thread as little smirched as possible.
I’ve been travelling, but I’ve stopped. Life is good. I hope things go well for you, too.
Glad to hear it. God bless.
I guess the Pope let his membership lapse but he has finally answered the question here.
And he might as well have said, “Katievs had it exactly right.” :)
Thanks for the chuckle, Katie!
That part was in the Scalfari interview ;)