The Catholic Church has been making prominent headlines the past few weeks, first in opposition to the Obama administration’s new policy requiring most employers to offer contraceptive services in their insurance policies, and now as a focal point of Nicki Minaj’s on-stage exorcism at last night’s Grammy Awards.
Minaj’s performance of “Roman Holiday” brought to life her latest alter ego, a guy named Roman Zolanski, who is trying to rise above adversity, hence the quite literal levitation on stage. Her appreciation for the visual part of the performing arts is not new, as Minaj attended a special performing arts high school, but last night’s show, complete with sacrilegious mocking of the Catholic sacrament of confession, the role of altar boys and girls, and other shenanigans with a fake pope, seemed a bit overkill.
Catholic League president Bill Donohue discussed frustration with having to fend off attacks from Washington and now the entertainment industry:
“None of this was by accident, and all of it was approved by The Recording Academy, which puts on the Grammys. Whether Minaj is possessed is surely an open question, but what is not in doubt is the irresponsibility of The Recording Academy. Never would they allow an artist to insult Judaism or Islam.”
When Ryan Seacrest asked her about the inspiration for the performance, Minaj seemed to credit it to a longer-term project instead of a public statement.
She told Seacrest, “He’s a major part of the movie I’m writing, one of my alter egos. His name is Roman and the religious figure is there because he was called on by Roman’s mom to rehabilitate him.”
So was Nicki Minaj’s performance just another attack on Catholics by the “mainstream media?” My guess is probably not. Just two decades ago another young performer was trying to make a name for herself. You might notice Minaj’s performance seemed vaguely familiar to Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.” The release of that single in 1989 was a huge turning point for Madonna’s career from pop star to super star. Maybe something rubbed off after the Superbowl?
I’m not sure I believe the recent Catholic-bashing is a part of any larger effort by the left. It would be silly during an election year, since Catholics are considered to be swing voters. The latest headlines simply seem to be more battles Catholics are waging on a public field, and questioning whether these types of battles should be pursued should be left up to those that desire to defend their faith.
It is interesting to muse, however, whether all religions are treated equally in the public sphere. Do Catholics get picked on more often, because the Western world generally assumes they have a clearer understanding of Catholicism than less common religions? Would such disrespect to Buddhism or Islam be treated just as lightly? It’s a question to think about.
