×
Newsmax TV & Webwww.newsmax.comFREE - In Google Play
VIEW
×
Newsmax TV & Webwww.newsmax.comFREE - On the App Store
VIEW
Tags: EU | REL | Vatican | Activist Arrest

Vatican Arrests Activist Who Bared Chest in Square

Friday, 26 December 2014 02:27 PM EST

The Vatican has arrested the Femen activist who on Christmas Day bared her chest and snatched the statue of Baby Jesus in the life-size Nativity scene in the center of St. Peter's Square, a spokesman said Friday, emphasizing that the protest insulted the faithful gathered to celebrate Christmas.

Ukrainian activist Yana Zhdanova was being held for questioning, with possible charges including carrying out obscene acts in public, insults and theft.

A topless Zhdanova grabbed the Baby Jesus statue about an hour after the pope offered his Christmas blessing Thursday. A Vatican guard immediately covered her with his cape and detained her, while Zhdanova, still clutching the figure, shouted "God is woman."

Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi noted that the incident was being taken seriously both because of the location and the solemnity of the event on which it intruded, saying it aimed to "intentionally offend the religious feelings" of numerous people.

He noted that three members of the Femen activist group had previously targeted the Vatican with another protest last month, baring their breasts, as is the Femen hallmark, in St. Peter's Square to protest the pope's visit to the European Parliament.

"It is therefore correct to proceed with the appropriate rigor against repeated acts that intentionally, repeatedly and severely infringe on the right of the faithful to the respect of their legitimate religious convictions," Lombardi said in a statement.

The Nativity scene incident was the latest in a series of protests by the Ukrainian women's rights movement Femen aimed at the Vatican in recent years, alternatively demanding rights for women and gays, and protesting in favor of abortion. This is the first time any of the activists have been arrested by the Vatican.

© Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


Europe
The Vatican has arrested the Femen activist who on Christmas Day bared her chest and snatched the statue of Baby Jesus in the life-size Nativity scene in the center of St. Peter's Square...
EU, REL, Vatican, Activist Arrest
285
2014-27-26
Friday, 26 December 2014 02:27 PM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
 
TOP

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
NEWSMAX.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved