Bodies - the Exhibition

Well, Bodies... The Exhibition has come to Cincinnati. This is that exhibition of all those 'plasticized' bodies, showing all the interior workings and organs and such. There is controversy over the exhibition, mainly due to the fact that bodies come from China, and given that country's human rights record some question that anyone gave consent to have this done to their bodies.

Now our Archbishop has weighed in on this issue, saying the local Catholic schools should not take field trips to the exhibit, but Catholic parents may take their kids there on their own. He says the exhibition 'fails to respect the persons involved.' As head of the diocese he certainly has the right to issue such guidance, but there are two things about all this that have my interest.

First, as I read the feedback on the story in the local paper, there are more than a few people who point out that Archbishop Pilarczyk has no credibility on this issue (and in their eyes, most any other issue) due to how he mishandled the priest sexual abuse problem in Cincinnati. The typical line goes something like this: Who is this guy, who we couldn't trust to protect our children, who sheltered abusers, and pleaded guilty in court to it, to tell me what I should or shouldn't do? Well, here's evidence that once you lose a person's trust and respect it is really difficult to regain it. And, in my opinion, the Archbishop may not ever regain the respect of many people in the diocese. The priest abuse saga has been very damaging to Catholicism, and will continue to be damaging for a generation.

Second, how does this lack of respect for the people whose bodies are in the exhibition square with the church's long-time fascination with relics? Did the saints tell anyone it was OK to chop them up and distribute the pieces all over the world? Or to keep their bodies on display somewhere? I can see how someone would see conflicts between the church saying Bodies the Exhibition disrespects people, but that relics are just fine.

Comments

[Jason]

Steve,

The original exhibit of this type, Bodyworlds (There are about three similarly named traveling exhibits), was created by a German doctor, and all of the cadavers were donated by the persons before their death, which is directly addressed in the exhibit.

The Bodyworlds exhibit gives homage to the Catholic Church as the first inspiration for modern scientific anatomical studies, pointing out that church officials in the late middle ages and early renaissance (or maybe it was just the renaissance) permitted and even encouraged public autopsies. Catholic customs surrounding respect for death, now long since past, are addressed, including the use of ossuaries and reliquaries.

[Liam]

I love relics and I hate this exposition. I've already blogged about it -- I don't know if it's in bad taste to link to one's own blog in the comments, but I don't think I could express it any better than there:
http://trepanatus.blogspot.com/2007/05/ostensio-corporum-hominum.html

It seems to me that the Archbishop's suggestion is rather mild. I wish other prelates (St Louis anyone?) had a more realistic understanding of their moral credibility at the this point.

Steve -- I will send you the Latin info very soon.

[Steve Bogner]

Jason, Liam - Thanks for your feedback on this. Liam, it's just fine to post a link to your blog from here!

[wayne]

when the bodies passed through Philadelphia, I took my science classes. Personally I could see the worth in it, however, spiritually I had a hard time with human bodies being treated in such ways... so I stayed outside of the exhibit with those students who expressed a desire to not see the bodies.

[Jeff]

Hi Steve,

It's a good example of how the scandal has made everything we try to do more difficult these days (I say "we" collectively, but it is especially true for the hierarchy figures in the Church). The archbishop is in a difficult position to be sure, but on the other hand, they can't be cowed into keeping their mouths shut about everything for all time either. That's one reason why we, as laypeople, need to work to hold them accountable. That's actually a way of helping them. To be held accountable is the only way for them to get their credibility back. As for the the bishops... meanwhile, they have to continue to speak up on things, regardless of how difficult it is.

I'm in agreement with the assesment that Liam made on his blog. I'm not sure how this exhibition is being presented now, but I recall at one time, early on, that the emphasis was far less on biology and science, and much more as a presentation of art, which I found particularly offensive. In addition, given China's human rights record, which includes organ harvesting and a thriving market in the selling of organs, I look somewhat askance at the claim that these bodies were willingly donated for this purpose.

[Sue]

How odd that this exhibit is so controversial in Cincinnati. I live in, and went to the exhibit with my family, in Pittsburgh. Our Church leadership felt that the exhibit was done respectfully, and I had to agree. If anything, "Bodies" makes one realize the magnificence of God's creation, the sacredness of human life, and the importance of caring for our earthly bodies.

China's human rights record does leave a lot to be desired, but the exhibit organizers do certify that these bodies were obtained ethically. This might or might not be. Still, I would encourage others to see "Bodies"; it was certainly a profound experience for me.

[Jason]

Steve,

There's a story on the next 20/20 on the 'Bodies' exhibition, which is advertised as a "shoking" exclusive investigation:

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4291334&page=1

[Steve Bogner]

Jason - I didn't get to see that show... will have to read-up on it though and see what conclusions they reached. The local paper said it re-energized the exhibit's protesters, so that says something...