Theatrum Sacrum
installation addressing the issue of sexualised violence and the abuse of spiritual authority within the Catholic Church
steel sculptures, 300 cm and 155 cm high, for Würzburg Cathedral during the Catholic Day 2026, not realised
In my view, the fact that there have been – and continue to be – such an appalling number of cases of sexualised violence within the Catholic Church is a structural problem. And nothing has been done to date to change the structure – that is, the power dynamics within the Church and the position of the priest vis-à-vis the laity.
Through his ordination, the priest becomes the vicar of Christ. He stands on a higher level than the laity. For a Catholic child, he is, as it were, holy.
This position leads to the abuse of power. Compounding the power imbalance is the fact that representatives of the Church and many other people have turned a blind eye.
The installation is intended to highlight power structures and have a direct emotional impact.
For me, the only possible location for this is the altar – the priest’s consecrated space, which is central and in full view of everyone. Furthermore, whilst the cathedral is very large, the work is intended to catch the eye – even amidst the large crowds during the Catholic Day.
The possible events between the boy and the priest unfold in the viewer’s mind. It need not necessarily come to an assault, yet we imagine it might due to the positioning of the figures.
Visitors to the church become privy to the situation. They do not see – as is indeed the case in reality – the abuse directly, but the signs that it is likely taking place. Everyone decides for themselves what stance to take and how to react.
The figures are laser-cut from 1 cm-thick steel plates and given a matt black powder-coated finish. They are supported from behind by slanted struts.
The priest stands approximately 300 cm tall, and the boy approximately 155 cm. The area behind the silhouettes is illuminated by concealed spotlights, so that even when the sky is overcast, the figures stand out darkly against the brilliantly lit apse
