Vicar has 'horrifying' statue of crucifixion removed from church

Vicar Rev Ewen Souter ordered the removal of a sculpture of Jesus Christ being crucified from the front of his church after branding it 'unsuitable' and 'a horrifying depiction of pain and suffering'.

Rev Souter said the traditional Christian symbol was frightening children and scaring off worshippers at St John's Church in Horsham, West Sussex.

He has had the 10ft resin sculpture, created by Edward Bainbridge Copnall MBE, a former president of the Royal Society of British Sculptors, removed, to be replaced by an ultra-modern stainless steel cross. Some church-goers have reacted angrily to the decision, saying it is another nail in the coffin of ancient Christian tradition.



Rev Souter said: "The crucifix expressed suffering, torment, pain and anguish. It was a scary image, particularly for children. Parents didn't want to walk past it with their kids, because they found it so horrifying."

One long-standing member of the church, who asked not to be named, said: "The crucifix is the oldest and most famous symbol of the Christian church.

"Pulling it down and putting up something that would look more at home on the side of a flashy modern shopping centre is not the way to get more bums on seats. Next they'll be ripping out the pews and putting sofas in their place, or throwing out all the Bibles and replacing them with laptops. It's just not right."