Voice of a (Blasphemous) Angel

LONDON, July 19, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The latest blasphemous antics of Welsh pop-star Charlotte Church have convinced a Catholic publishing company to drop all the products of the girl with “the voice of a angel.”

In a notice to all the customers of Ignatius Press, the company informed its customers that Charlotte Church’s recent statement and antics in the pilot for a new Channel 4 Television entertainment show, have forced Ignatius Press to discontinue carrying her products.

The pilot for The Charlotte Church Show was recorded before a live audience on July 12 in London. During the show, the hostess Charlotte Church, dressed as drug-using nun, smashed open a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary revealing a hidden can of cider, and spoke about worshipping “St. Fortified Wine.” Along the same vein of comic blasphemy, the pop diva pretended to hallucinate while consuming communion wafers branded with Ecstasy smiley faces, and denigrated Pope Benedict XVI as a “Nazi”, even though she had performed for the late Holy Father, John Paul II, when she was a 12 year-old girl.

In an official statement, Ignatius Press stated, “It is with regret that we do this; Miss Church possesses a great gift from God, and in the past she has used her talent often to offer praise and glory to our Lord.” While Ignatius Press praised the sacred music Charlotte had done in the past, they said, “We cannot stand by a young woman who uses her stature in the media to mock the Eucharist, slander the Holy Father, and denigrate the vows of religious women. Therefore, our catalogs and website will immediately withdraw all compact discs, cassette tapes, DVDs and VHS tapes that feature Miss Church. Please join us in praying for this troubled young woman.”

It is a sad thing to see how many “child prodigies” wind up as adult brats. I’m not sure what happens to them, but it must have something to do with their fame and privileged status coupled with their disrupted childhood. God knows how many hangers on must have made a few shekels off her as a child, and God knows what events in her life drove her to where she is now. I just remember how she sang when she was little, how good she was, and how I wondered what would happen to her when she grew up. Then, several years ago, I saw a more “mature” Charlotte Church on a PBS special. She was made up way too much and she just looked hard - eyes like a runaway on the street that's seen way too much way too young.

Ignatius Press has handled it quite correctly, I think. They can’t in good conscience peddle her merchandise anymore, but the young lady herself needs as many prayers as she can get. Who knows – perhaps the results of her current over-the-edge behavior will eventually provide an opportunity for God to get her attention. As a recovering jackass myself, I know that no one living is beyond redemption.