Sony provokes wrath of the Holy See
September 30, 2005
Rome - Sony has withdrawn an Italian advertisement campaign for its PlayStation console, inspired by Jesus Christ's "passion" and branded as "blasphemous" by Roman Catholics here.
In a statement issued Friday, Sony Computer Entertainment Italia said it "regretted the reactions" sparked by its campaign, whose message it said had been "misunderstood".
"The campaign has been stopped and, also due to the reactions it has caused, will not be taken up again," the statement said.
The advert, called "Ten years of passion", celebrates the 10th anniversary of the company's successful PlayStation console.
It shows a young man wearing what looks like a crown of thorns. The image recalls Mel Gibson's recent blockbuster movie, "The Passion of the Christ". On closer inspection, the crown is decorated by thorn-like squares, crosses, triangles and circles - the characteristic symbols of the PlayStation's joystick.
The ad was slammed by prominent figures of the Roman Catholic Church within hours of appearing in Italian newspapers and magazines.
Italian Cardinal Ersilio Tonini was among the first to speak out, calling it "an irreverent mockery".
"The advert displays a lack of taste which conceals a lack of respect. Kids shouldn't be induced into believing that the passion of Christ is a game," Tonini was quoted as saying Friday.
The advert was also slammed by Catholic politicians, with one conservative lawmaker dismissing it as "nearly blasphemous". - Sapa-dpa
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