'Homeless Jesus' comes to Manchester
Manchester City Centre's newest statue and weapon in the fight against homelessness has been unveiled.
Last updated 23rd Apr 2018
Manchester City Centre's newest statue and weapon in the fight against homelessness has been unveiled.
'Homeless Jesus' is on a bench in St Ann's Square.
It's hoped it will challenge public attitudes towards homeless people and encourage them to be compassionate.
Rector of St Ann’s, The Revd Nigel Ashworth, said:
“For many people homelessness is not simply about having no place to call home, but about living with some kind of emotional trauma. By giving the homeless Jesus space outside our church we are showing that we stand in solidarity with the poor and vulnerable, in the same way that Jesus had compassion on them in His earthly ministry.”
The Bishop of Manchester, The Rt Revd Dr David Walker, who chairs the Manchester Homelessness Partnership, said:
“Jesus is very explicit in the bible; when we offer or refuse care to those in need, we will be judged as though he himself were the needy person before us. This sculpture casts Christ's words into metal. It links them directly to one of the most visible expressions of human need. Its identical twins can be found in other great cities around the world; a reminder that Manchester today is a truly global city.”