On December 1, as Mexicans began to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Playboy Mexico hit the newsstands. The cover featured Argentine model Maria Florencia Onori wearing only a white head covering with the words “Te Adoramos Maria” or “We adore you, Maria” written beside her.
While Mary has become a cultural symbol as much as a religious icon in Mexico and around the world, the Catholic hierarchy was not pleased.
When the controversy first erupted, Playboy did not cite freedom of speech or press, opting instead to…
deny that the cover was even a depiction of Mary. Raul Sayrols, the publisher of Playboy Mexico stated, “The image is not and never was intended to portray the Virgin of Guadalupe. The intent was to portray a renaissance-like mood on the cover.”
After a few days, Playboy owned up and issued an apology: “While Playboy Mexico never meant for the cover or images to offend anyone, we recognize that it has created offense, and we as well as Playboy Mexico offer our sincerest apologies.”
Interestingly, back in February, Equinox Fitness unveiled an ad in Boston depicting rather scantily clad nuns. Unlike Playboy, Equinox did not back down despite the outcry of the Catholic hierarchy in the United States. They stated, “The ads capture the energy and artistry of the well-conditioned body in a thought-provoking fashion, blending fantasy and impact.”
Indeed, both of these instances highlight the defamation of women in media, freedom of press, etc. Additionally, the reactions of Catholic hierarchy to these depictions demonstrate the uneven quality of Catholic teaching. The so-called “pelvic issues” certainly cue grand reactions, specifically when religious figures are involved. On the other hand, never has such a storm of reaction developed when people of color are defamed in the media—and racism is treated equally in Catholic teaching.
So, is it really the defamation of the Virgin Mary that the Church hierarchy is concerned about or is it just sex?
