Remove "Transcendence" sculpture from Bendigo's Sacred Heart Cathedral

Many of us were rightly appalled last week to discover that the Diocese of Sandhurst has agreed to the 3-month installment of a blatantly pagan sculpture in Sacred Heart Cathedral.

The bishop has responded to letters of complaint with a copy-and-pasted admission that the blurb the artist wrote about the artwork on an online website pertaining to the artwork could lead to misunderstanding, and so it was amended. We are not, however, objecting to the artist's intent; rather we are objecting to the plainly pagan origins of the sculpture, and requesting on this basis that it be removed from our Catholic cathedral.

Importantly, the other four pieces in the "The Wands" collection are situated at meaningful sites in Bendigo - Latrobe University, St John of God Hospital, The Old Church on the Hill community centre, and Quarry Hill Cemetary. There is evidently a nefarious intention behind installing pagan exhibits at important communal sites in the Bendigo area. The exhibits are described as "stations of life" to be visited via "pilgrimage" - a twisted play on the annual Christus Rex Pilgrimage which culminates at Bendigo Cathedral. You can find more information on "The Wands" here.

Please do sign this petition and share it with your friends. This sculpture must leave the cathedral as soon as possible.

If you care deeply about this important issue, please also use the below contacts to personally communicate with the bishop. Please be respectful but firm.

Bishop email: bishop@sandhurst.catholic.org.au

Vicar General email: joe.taylor@sandhurst.catholic.org.au

Bishop's office phone: 03 5445 3600